Ah vous trouvez que mon dernier roman n'est pas tout a fait... 1844

Here we see Honoré Daumier’s lithograph, where the artist uses a humble material, in this case lithographic crayon, to great effect. Daumier's focus on the material and the mark-making process is crucial to understanding the social commentary embedded in the work. The strokes, layering, and gradations of tone produce the lines that capture the expressions and body language of the characters. Note the way he depicts the women's dresses, their textures and draping achieved through careful modulation of the crayon. This printing technique allowed for relatively quick and economical reproduction, making his art accessible to a wider audience. The use of lithography allowed Daumier to disseminate his critical observations widely, using the printing press as a tool for social commentary. It challenges us to recognize the value and significance of materials and processes in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.