Ontslagen kapitein van de Nationale Garde 1843

This lithograph, “Ontslagen kapitein van de Nationale Garde”, was made by Honoré Daumier, a master of the medium. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the contrast between greasy and water-receptive areas on a stone or metal plate. Daumier drew directly onto the lithographic stone with a greasy crayon. The stone was then treated with chemicals, allowing ink to adhere only to the drawn areas. The image was then printed onto paper. This technique allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction, perfect for the satirical prints Daumier created for the French newspaper, Le Charivari. The immediacy of the lithographic crayon is evident in the expressive lines and shading that bring this dejected Captain to life. The process itself is closely tied to the social context: Daumier used lithography's capacity for mass production to disseminate his political commentary, holding power to account. This print embodies the spirit of social critique that defines Daumier’s oeuvre and challenges the traditional hierarchy of art and craft.