Charming...trailing all the hearts after him... 1839

Editor: This is Honoré Daumier’s lithograph, "Charming...trailing all the hearts after him...". I’m struck by the sharp lines and how they seem to satirize the figures. What do you see in the materiality of this work? Curator: Consider the mass production of lithographs in 19th century France. Daumier used this accessible medium to critique social elites, challenging the traditional role of art as a luxury object. How does the printmaking process inform the work's commentary? Editor: So, it’s not just the image, but the medium itself that delivers the message? Curator: Precisely. The very nature of lithography, its affordability and reproducibility, democratized art and enabled Daumier to reach a broad audience with his social critique. Editor: That's fascinating. I didn't consider the social context of the materials before. Thanks! Curator: It’s crucial to understanding the full impact of Daumier’s work.