Nouveautés philantropiques... 1841

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Nouveautés philanthropiques," sometime in the 19th century. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. An image is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treated with acid and gum arabic. In this print, Daumier uses the lithographic process to create a sharp contrast between light and shadow, lending a theatrical air to the scene. Notice how the textures of the fabrics are suggested through dense cross-hatching, while the faces are rendered with a more delicate touch. The process of lithography was well-suited to mass production, making art accessible to a wider audience. In Daumier's hands, it became a powerful tool for social commentary, critiquing the political and economic realities of his time. He challenges the traditional hierarchy of art by using this commercial medium to address issues of labor, politics, and consumption. It reminds us that art is not separate from the world of work and commerce, but deeply intertwined with it.