M. Berger, dit le superbe ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, M. Berger, dit le superbe, using a greasy crayon on a slab of limestone. This direct drawing process allowed for the quick reproduction of images, feeding a booming market for political satire in 19th-century France. The lithographic technique perfectly suits Daumier’s critical eye. The medium allows for a range of tones and textures, seen in the dense hatching that models the figures and suggests the oppressive atmosphere. Look at how Daumier uses the inherent qualities of the lithographic stone to create depth and volume with just simple lines. The crude scene is all the more effective because of this method. Mass production through lithography made Daumier's work accessible to a broad audience, challenging the elite through accessible art. The biting commentary on political figures and social structures, rendered through this accessible medium, underscores the intertwined relationship between artistic technique, social critique, and the burgeoning culture of mass media.