Illustration in Jérôme Paturot, by Louis Reybaud, Paris, 1846 1841 - 1851

This illustration by J. J. Grandville from 1841-1851 is a satirical depiction of a man climbing a ladder towards a chest in the clouds. The artwork is filled with symbolism representing the pursuit of wealth and status. The man, dressed in an old-fashioned suit, struggles to climb the ladder which is adorned with objects like a clock, a hat, and a boot, representing different aspects of society and ambition. Grandville's distinctive style of caricature and grotesque imagery, often used to comment on contemporary social issues, makes this illustration a fascinating and thought-provoking example of 19th-century French satire.