Bandiet wil voorbijganger overvallen 1858

Paul Gavarni made this lithograph, “Bandiet wil voorbijganger overvallen,” around 1835 using ink on paper. Gavarni was a master of lithography, a printmaking technique that democratized image-making in the 19th century. The grainy texture and stark contrasts are inherent to the lithographic process, where an image is drawn on a stone or metal plate and then printed. Notice how the artist coaxes a range of tones and textures from a single material. It really highlights the dramatic tension of the scene: the robber lurking, the unsuspecting passerby, and the rough architecture, all emerge from the subtle gradations of light and shadow. Lithography allowed for the mass production of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Gavarni's work often depicted scenes of everyday life, offering social commentary on the rapidly changing urban landscape of Paris. By focusing on the gritty realities of urban life, Gavarni challenged the traditional boundaries of art, bringing attention to the experiences of the working class. This print reminds us that materials and making are always tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption.