Vader wandelt met dochter op straat 1841

This lithograph was created by Paul Gavarni, likely in the mid-19th century, using a method that democratized image production. Lithography, unlike engraving, allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction, making art accessible to a broader public. The image shows a father and daughter, caught in what seems like a tender, yet perhaps strained, moment. The lithographic process itself involves drawing with a greasy crayon on a stone or metal plate, which is then chemically treated to accept ink only where the crayon has marked. Gavarni's skill is evident in the fine lines and shading that give depth to the figures and their clothing. Consider how the choice of lithography, a process born of industrial innovation, aligns with the subject matter. Gavarni captures a fleeting moment in modern urban life. The print becomes a commodity, circulated and consumed, much like the very fashions and social interactions it depicts. By understanding the processes, we recognize it as an integral part of the rapidly changing social fabric of 19th-century Paris.