Le docteur Véron ... a Auteuil ... c. 19th century

This lithograph was made by Honoré Daumier, a French printmaker, painter, and sculptor. Daumier worked with lithography, a printing technique that allowed him to produce images quickly and in large quantities for mass consumption. The process involves drawing with a greasy crayon on a stone slab, which is then treated with chemicals to allow ink to adhere only to the drawn areas. This print is part of a series called "Actualités", and this one depicts a doctor playing the clarinet in the countryside, while a group of people and a dog look on. Daumier, using line and shading, creates depth and texture in the scene. The caricatured figures, with exaggerated features, are typical of his satirical style, commenting on the social and political issues of his time. Lithography, in its reproducibility, was intimately tied to the rise of industrial capitalism and mass media. Daumier’s prints reflect the social conditions and inequalities of 19th century France. By understanding the materials and processes behind this artwork, we can more deeply appreciate its social and cultural significance.