The Christmas Presents of 1868 1868

Curator: Editor: This is Honoré Daumier’s lithograph, “The Christmas Presents of 1868,” showing a figure labeled “Europe” gazing at a pile of… weaponry. It’s a pretty stark image! What do you see in this piece? Curator: The means of production are key here. Daumier's use of lithography allowed for mass production of this political commentary. Consider the labor involved in creating this image, multiplied by the sheer number of prints made. How does that affect its message, knowing it reached a wide audience? Editor: That’s fascinating! It’s not just a singular artwork then, but a statement designed for widespread consumption. I hadn’t thought about the impact of the medium itself. Curator: Exactly. The materiality and the social context of its creation deeply inform its meaning. Editor: I see that now. Thanks for pointing that out!