This is a
very nice antiquarian (circa 1900) caricature done by Georges Goursat, a popular caricaturist of France's "Belle Epoque" period who was known as "Sem" and whose drawings typically featured the social elite, actors, singers, politicians, and the like who frequented Maxim's, Longchamp Downs, etc. He published many of his drawings in various French newspapers and magazines (see a photo of SEM directly below).
Georges Goursat (Sem), 1914
The caricature is a signed ("SEM"in lower right corner) original hand-colored pochoir lithograph print on woven paper from about 1900. It is an original antique print and not a modern reproduction.
This caricature shows a young lady being fitted with a dress while a male clothier writes in his notepad.
She says "C'est pour Deauville maitre? Mais... Je n'y vais jamais." ("This is for Deauville maitre? But.. I never go there.")
He exclaims "Mais, Madame Madeleine, toutes vos robes y vont!" ("But, Madame Madeleine, all your clothes go there!")
The backside of the pochoir is inscribed with
"Colorie par le maitre
J Saude" (roughly, translated
"Colored by the master,
J. Saude").
J. Saude hand colored many of Georges Goursat's drawings.
Condition. There is a tear at the upper right of the picture (please see close-up photo directly below). It does reach into the encircled depiction.
There is toning, especially around the edges and at the top and bottom borders. The picture had apparently been stored or framed with the top portion covered--as can be seen by the difference in coloration. The edges have wear and tears and creases, common imperfections associated with age.
All in all, however, the primary depiction of the subject is, in and of itself, in fair to good condition.
