Cavales cosaques mortes de soif ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, Cavales cosaques mortes de soif ..., which translates to "Cossack Cavalry died of thirst...", using a lithographic crayon on stone. This was a popular and efficient method for the mass production of images during the 19th century. The grainy texture, a result of the lithographic process, gives a stark realism to the scene. The image depicts dead horses, and a well-fed leader, likely a satire of broken promises made to soldiers during wartime. The contrast between the plump figure and the fallen horses highlights the social disparities inherent in military conflict, and critiques the comfortable existence of leadership, versus the suffering of those on the ground. Daumier expertly uses the characteristics of lithography to create a powerful commentary on the human cost of war, and the political context of his time. By embracing this accessible printmaking method, his message was efficiently conveyed to a wide audience, thus challenging the traditional boundaries between fine art and social critique.