Comme quoi tout le monde de peut ... c. 19th century

This print, "Comme quoi tout le monde ne peut..." by Honoré Daumier, likely dates to the mid-19th century and was made using lithography, a then-new technology that allowed for the relatively quick production of images for mass consumption. Lithography involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. The resulting prints have a distinctive look, with subtle tonal variations achieved through the artist’s hand. Daumier used this process to great effect, creating caricatures that critique French society with sharp wit. Here, his subject is the stock exchange, teeming with eager, often grotesque figures. The use of lithography, a process tied to industrialization and the burgeoning print media, underscores Daumier’s commentary on capitalism and its effects on everyday life, capturing the anxieties and absurdities of a rapidly changing world. By making many prints, Daumier democratized the art world, delivering political commentary to the masses.