Ah! Saperlotte, je crois que nous sommes pincés! 1845

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Ah! Saperlotte, je crois que nous sommes pincés!", using a greasy crayon on a limestone slab. This was an efficient method, perfectly suited to Daumier’s role as a satirical commentator. The grainy texture, achieved through lithography, softens the image while still conveying the drama of the moment. The rapid, sketchy lines of the crayon capture the furtive act of stealing grapes, with the vineyard owner looming behind them. There's a clear class contrast here: the finely dressed couple caught in their transgression, and the weathered, watchful guardian of the vineyard. Daumier's choice of lithography isn’t incidental. It allowed for mass production and dissemination, essential for political cartoons reaching a wide audience. This print implicates the upper classes in everyday misdeeds, using the inherent reproducibility of printmaking to amplify its social critique. The material and process here are integral to the work's sharp commentary.