Vous sentez bien, mon cher monsieur... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, ‘Vous sentez bien, mon cher monsieur...’, using a greasy crayon on a block of fine-grained limestone. It’s a process that democratized image-making in 19th century France, enabling the rapid reproduction of images for mass consumption. Daumier's skill with the crayon is evident in the way he captures the nuances of light and shadow, giving depth and form to his characters. The smudges and imperfections, inherent in the lithographic process, only add to the image’s raw, immediate quality. This print reflects the social and political landscape of the time. Lithography became a tool for social commentary, allowing artists to critique the bourgeoisie and expose the inequalities of Parisian society. The relatively low cost of production meant that satirical images like this one could reach a wide audience, fueling public discourse and challenging the status quo. So while Daumier was undoubtedly a master of his craft, the real power of this work lies in its accessibility.