“- But I am telling you, they are friends.... they are just expressing themselves to each other,” plate 9 from Les Amis 1845

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, “- But I am telling you, they are friends.... they are just expressing themselves to each other,” at some point in his career. The lithographic process involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating it with chemicals so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. Daumier was a master of this technique, using it to create images with a sense of immediacy. Look at the lines here, capturing a street brawl and the astonished onlookers. The rapid, sketchy quality of the lithograph gives it a raw, reportorial feel, as if we're witnessing a real-life event. Daumier's choice of lithography was significant. It allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction. This aligned with his social and political views. He used his skills to create satirical commentaries on French society, targeting the bourgeoisie and the political elite. Lithography democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience. And, in Daumier's hands, it became a powerful tool for social critique. So, appreciating the material and the making helps us understand Daumier’s message all the more.