Fureur de Mr Cobden ... c. 19th century

This lithograph was made by Honoré Daumier in the 19th century. Lithography is a printing process that relies on the chemical repulsion between oil and water. The artist draws an image with a greasy crayon on a flat stone or metal plate, which is then treated to accept ink only in the areas where the crayon was applied. The beauty of lithography is that the drawn mark is what makes the image. Here, Daumier uses this technique to its fullest potential, creating frenetic lines that convey the energy of the characters and the chaos of the scene. The cross-hatching and shading give depth and volume to the figures, while the spontaneity captures a fleeting moment of fury. Daumier was known for using lithography to create satirical commentaries on French society, culture, and politics. In this print, the artist uses the immediacy of the lithographic mark to create an incisive social commentary. We get a sense of labor and class through his attention to the every-day. Appreciating the labor and social context of this work makes us question traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.