“- Sir, I would like to subscribe for the earth quake at Batignolles..... here are two Francs.... but put in properly my name and address in your newspaper, Rigolard - Philanthropist, stationer at rue St. Honoré 345, offering clocks and statues by Dantan, Bohemian glass, English riding sticks, German chemical matches and generally everything that does not really concern this matter,” plate 6 from Les Philantropes Du Jour 1844

Honoré Daumier crafted this lithograph, plate 6 from "Les Philantropes Du Jour," offering a glimpse into the philanthropic facade of 19th-century Paris. Observe the central motif: a man, presumably Rigolard, eagerly subscribing to an earthquake relief fund. The act of donation, seemingly selfless, is tainted by his insistence on publicizing his name and address, transforming charity into self-promotion. This desire for recognition echoes throughout history, from ancient benefactors immortalized in stone to modern-day philanthropists vying for social status. The hat becomes a symbol, it's upturned like a chalice and sitting on the ledge between the two men. One man is writing the name of the donor into a book, an important historical reference. The image offers a commentary on the human psyche, unveiling the complex interplay between genuine compassion and the ego's craving for validation. It's a motif that cyclically resurfaces, evolving with each era, yet rooted in the timeless tension between altruism and self-interest.