Today for the good tip of the week we’re staying in Paris for a little while. Recently I’ve been to an exhibition at the BNF (National Library) that really was worth the trip. I’ve been a long time admirer of Honoré Daumier, the famous French caricaturist. So when I heard the national library was showing some of his works I booked the date. The display is held at the old buildings of the Rue de Richelieu a few feet away from the Palais Royal Gardens.

Until the 9th of June you have the occasion to admire more than 200 prints of the artist and understand how lithographs really worked. Some unique pieces even carry handwritten comments from the master. If some pieces dealing with politics are harder to grasp, most of them are extremely fresh and will at least provoke a smile.

At the same time, on the other side of the Seine, the modern BNF was presenting a parallel exhibition comparing Daumier to modern caricaturists. Sadly this one is now closed but you still have time to visit the first one. It really puts things into perspective.

More information :

Bibliothèque nationale de France, site Richelieu, 58 rue Richelieu, Paris 2e. (March 4 to June 9, 2008.)