"And a very obstinate vole..." from Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals 1832 - 1852

This lithograph was created by J.J. Grandville as part of his "Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals." Grandville cleverly portrays animals in human-like situations to satirize 19th-century French society, particularly focusing on themes of labor and class. Notice the vole, dressed in working attire, operating a cumbersome drilling machine. The lithographic process itself – drawing on a stone with a greasy crayon, then chemically fixing the image for printing – mirrors the laborious effort depicted. The intricate details, achieved through skilled draftsmanship, emphasize the physical exertion of manual labor. The vole's determined stance and the presence of mining equipment symbolize the relentless drive of industrial progress. The print subtly critiques the often-overlooked toil and struggles of the working class during this period of rapid industrialization. Grandville’s choice to represent social commentary through the lens of anthropomorphic animals blurs the lines between fine art and social critique, highlighting the value of craft in conveying powerful messages about labor and society.