“Damn country! I only shoot sparrows.... and just females... and this ingenious guard insisted the place is full of rabbits,” plate 5 from La Chasse 1843

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, dating from the 19th century, presents a satirical take on hunting. Daumier was a master of lithography, a printmaking technique that uses a flat stone or metal plate to create images. The greasy crayon used in the lithographic process allows for subtle tonal variations, creating a sense of depth and texture. Here, he uses the medium to its full potential, capturing the details of the hunter's clothing and the surrounding landscape. The softness of the lithographic crayon lends itself perfectly to Daumier’s characterful style. This print, like others by Daumier, speaks to the social context of 19th-century France, where class distinctions were often a target for satire. The hunter's attire and exaggerated features suggest a certain level of affluence and self-importance, while the artist's inscription hints at the absurdity of his claims. Ultimately, Daumier's "La Chasse" invites us to reflect on the relationship between social status, leisure activities, and the artist's role as a social commentator.