Woordenwisseling tussen een man en een jongen 1844

This lithograph, "Woordenwisseling tussen een man en een jongen," was made by Honoré Daumier in the 19th century. Lithography, as a printmaking process, allowed for the wide distribution of images, and was therefore ideally suited to the mass media of the time. The image is rendered with careful attention to line and shadow; the composition features two figures, seemingly engaged in a tense confrontation. The lithographic process itself involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applying ink, which adheres only to the drawn areas. This allows for the reproduction of fine details and subtle tonal variations. Given the social context of the time, the material and process are significant. Lithography democratized image-making, making it accessible to a broader audience. Daumier, known for his social commentary, used this medium to critique the bourgeoisie and comment on the everyday lives of ordinary people. The very act of producing this lithograph, and distributing it widely, was a statement in itself, challenging traditional hierarchies of art and audience.