Les Français peints par eux-mêmes, tome 2: Encyclopédie morale du dix-neuvième siècle

"Les Français peints par eux-mêmes, tome 2" by L. Curmer is a collection published between 1840 and 1842. This encyclopedic work surveys the diverse types and social classes of French society, from Parisian inhabitants to provincial and colonial populations. Featuring contributions from celebrated writers like Honoré de Balzac and Charles Nodier, alongside illustrations by artists such as Honoré Daumier, the collection presents satirical and historical portraits of French people. Each chapter examines a specific "type," drawing on scientific theories of the era to create a comprehensive panorama of nineteenth-century French society.