Ah! Tu rapportes tout au maître ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, titled "Ah! Tu rapportes tout au maître ...," using a printing technique that democratized image-making in the 19th century. The lithographic process is key here. Daumier drew his image not on a block of wood or metal, but on a flat slab of limestone, using a greasy crayon. This allowed for a much wider range of tonal effects than traditional printmaking. Look at the subtle gradations of light and shadow, achieved through the artist’s manipulation of the crayon. The relative ease of lithography meant that images like this could be produced quickly and cheaply, and circulated widely in newspapers and journals. Daumier used the medium to offer his commentary on French society, often with satirical intent. In this case, we see a schoolyard scene, with one boy punching another, perhaps in response to being a “teacher’s pet.” By embracing lithography, Daumier aligned himself with the world of mass production and political engagement, challenging the notion of the artist as a creator of precious, unique objects.