Un service d'ami c. 19th century

This lithograph, "Un service d'ami," by Honoré Daumier, uses a printmaking process that was central to the mass media of his time. Lithography allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images, making them accessible to a broad audience. The material--grease on stone--directly influences the artwork's appearance. The crayon-like texture creates a soft, almost blurry effect, which Daumier uses to capture the subtle expressions and postures of his subjects. The process involves a division of labor: the artist creates the image, but skilled printers are needed to pull the final impression. This print's social significance lies in its critique of education and social class. Daumier uses the lithographic process to make pointed social commentary, challenging the traditional role of art. By employing a medium tied to mass production and social critique, he questions the hierarchies within the art world itself. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that meaning is found not just in the image, but in the making and the context in which it circulates.