Les anglais chez eux: Vous pensez donc... 1852

Paul Gavarni made this lithograph, 'Les anglais chez eux: Vous pensez donc...', using the technique of lithography. This printmaking method relies on the contrast between greasy and non-greasy areas on a stone or metal plate. The artist draws an image with a greasy crayon or ink, then treats the plate so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. Gavarni’s choice of lithography would have influenced the appearance of the work by allowing for the creation of nuanced tonal variations through subtle gradations of shading. This technique was particularly well-suited to the mass production of images in newspapers and magazines, and it allowed artists like Gavarni to reach a broad audience with their social commentary. In this image, Gavarni satirizes the perceived habits and attitudes of the English. The print reflects the growing accessibility and demand for printed images in 19th-century France, driven by technological advances in printing and the rise of a consumer culture. So the image itself is part of the social reality it depicts.