Robert Macaire commissionnaire c. 19th century

This lithograph, by Honoré Daumier, presents us with Robert Macaire, a figure embodying cunning and deceit. The raised hands are open in what appears to be a gesture of honesty and openness. Yet, the eyes and crooked smiles betray a different intent. This duality reminds us of the Commedia dell'arte, where gestures are exaggerated, and masks conceal true intentions. Think of the trickster figure found in numerous cultures, the archetype of the deceiver, that resurfaces time and again, from Loki in Norse mythology to the wily fox in fables. Their raised hands often accompany a false promise. The image touches on our collective memory of betrayal, engaging our subconscious awareness of the darker aspects of human nature. This resonates deeply because deceit, like an ancient echo, repeats itself, constantly evolving, in our social interactions. The symbolic charge of such gestures reminds us that history is alive, and the past, with its lessons and warnings, is ever-present.