Catholic society of baptism established for all the drunkards of Paris. (Article 1) From Rouen to Bercy the Seine will be transformed into the River Jordan. "In the name of the great society Mélange, Macaire & Co. I baptise you 'old Macon', grand cru of the year of the comet, and the public will stand in line for it," plate 48 from Revue Caricaturale 1843

This lithograph, "Catholic society of baptism established for all the drunkards of Paris," was created by Honoré Daumier for Revue Caricaturale. The eye is drawn to the convergence of lines and shapes around the central barrel, where a performative act of 'baptizing' wine is taking place. Daumier uses line and form to highlight a satirical commentary on social rituals. The contrast between the formal attire of the baptizers and the unrefined scene of workers handling barrels suggests a disruption of established values. This contrast challenges traditional hierarchies and hints at the absurdity of elevating commercial practices to sacred levels. Ultimately, Daumier uses the formal qualities of his lithograph to engage in a broader cultural discourse about the intersection of commerce, religion, and social identity in 19th-century Paris. The image invites ongoing interpretation, challenging viewers to consider the shifting boundaries between the sacred and the profane.