Une Famille qui vient d'apprendre... un impot sur les chiens 1855

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, “Une Famille qui vient d'apprendre... un impot sur les chiens,” or "A family that has just learned of a tax on dogs." Daumier was a master of lithography, a printing technique that democratized image production in the 19th century. The greasy crayon he used on the lithographic stone allowed for rapid, expressive mark-making, mirroring the immediacy of drawing. The way Daumier exploits the lithographic process is fascinating, and the effect is a grainy texture, heightening the emotional impact of the scene. This print, intended for mass consumption, captures a family of dogs reacting to the news of a dog tax. This speaks to broader issues of labor, class, and politics during this period. Daumier highlights the anxieties and burdens placed on ordinary people. He masterfully uses the material and process of lithography to engage with pressing social issues, blurring the lines between fine art and social commentary.