This is the catalogue of an exhibition running from October 2012 to March 2013 comprising the earliest Daumier prints in the museum's collection, including political caricatures created in the 1830s which were published in various satirical magazines. The catalogue also features works by some of his contemporaries Eduardo de Beaumont, Cham (Amedee de Noe) , Paul Gavarni and August Canzi. Included in this series of works the artist targeted the "pear-head" Louis- Philippe, the Citizen King, but also parodied politicians and members of parliament who were in his service. His most well-known caricatures were conceived in defence of the freedom of the press and of speech.
The essays consider his Early Career and Political Caricatures, Social Satire in Le Charivari (1835-1848), the Second Republic in the eyes of a Republican, and the Second Empire and his Final Years