The Mountebanks. “- Oh Maître Bilboquet, we have had it... these clowns will steal our show! Don't you worry, Gringaillet, they're no competition, they are just comedians!,” from Les Saltimbanques 1839

"The Mountebanks" (1839), a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, depicts a humorous scene of street performers, known as Saltimbanques, interacting with a group of patrons. The satirical nature of Daumier's work is apparent in the exaggerated expressions and postures of the figures. The contrasting characters, the confident and slightly pompous Bilboquet and the anxious Gringaillet, illustrate the inherent rivalry within the world of entertainment. The inscription below the figures captures the spirit of the scene, with Bilboquet reassuring Gringaillet that their performance will prevail, despite the arrival of new competition. Daumier's keen observation of social life and his ability to capture the essence of human nature are evident in this iconic work, a significant example of his printmaking skills and his satirical commentary on Parisian society.