Bataille (Alex. Simon Pataille) c. 19th century

This is a lithograph, "Bataille," made by Honoré Daumier in the 1830s, an era when this printmaking technique was becoming widespread in France. Lithography involves drawing on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, then treating the stone so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. The image is then transferred to paper via a printing press. What's compelling is the immediacy and accessibility of lithography; it allowed artists like Daumier to produce caricatures quickly and relatively cheaply, reaching a broad audience. Here, Daumier's skill is evident in the delicate gradations of tone, achieved through subtle variations in pressure and the density of the crayon strokes. But beyond the technique itself, the choice of lithography speaks volumes about Daumier's social concerns. It was a medium perfectly suited for political satire, allowing him to critique the powerful figures of his time, and for that matter, to make a living in a precarious political climate. It really brings forward how art and craft come together, influencing each other, especially when linked to society and its dynamics.