Twee oude vrouwen op een zolderkamer 1853

Paul Gavarni created this lithograph, Two Old Women in an Attic Room, sometime in the mid-19th century. Lithography is a printmaking process, where an image is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy substance. The stone is then treated with acid, which makes the drawing receptive to ink while repelling it from the undrawn areas. Notice how the lithographic process has allowed the artist to capture a wide range of tones and textures, from the dark, heavy shadows to the delicate lines that define the women's faces and clothing. Gavarni uses the technique to create a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing us into the intimate, yet bleak, setting. Consider the social context of this work. Lithography allowed for the mass production of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Gavarni often depicted scenes of everyday life, particularly the lives of working-class Parisians. The amount of work involved in lithography, from preparing the stone to printing the final image, reflects the labor and skill required in the production of art. By focusing on the material and processes behind this lithograph, we gain a deeper appreciation for its social and cultural significance.