Un Grand Homme de Plus 1844

Editor: This is Honoré Daumier's "Un Grand Homme de Plus," it's a print, probably from around the mid-19th century. It feels satirical, with a focus on the figure's pompous expression. What aspects stand out to you? Curator: Notice the printmaking process itself. Daumier used lithography, a process which allowed for mass production and wider dissemination of his social commentary. The material becomes a tool for challenging social hierarchies and class pretension. Editor: That's interesting. So the printmaking itself is part of the message? Curator: Exactly. The relatively cheap means of production enabled Daumier to reach a broad audience and critique the elite by showcasing the mechanization of art production. How does this production method affect your understanding of the image?