Le Journal Pour Rire, Journal d'Iimages, Journal Comique, Critique, Satirique et Moqueur, August 23, 1850 1850

Charles Philipon's 'Le Journal Pour Rire' from 1850 is a lithograph printed on paper. The lithographic process is key here: a design is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then printed. This allowed for relatively quick and cheap reproduction, ideal for a satirical journal targeting mass audiences. Look closely and you’ll notice the density of the image, achieved by drawing many small marks on the lithographic stone. The density of the marks creates contrast, adding to the comic effect of the caricatures, a common process in the era of mass media. Consider that this newspaper was produced in a moment of social upheaval in France, as industrialization transformed labor and class structures. By using lithography to quickly disseminate satirical imagery, Philipon was able to engage with the politics of his time. He challenged traditional modes of art production.