Rien n'est si joli que la fable, si triste que la vérité!, plate 30 from the suite Les Lorettes, published in "Le Charivari" 1842

This lithograph was made by Paul Gavarni, and published in the French newspaper, "Le Charivari." Lithography is a printmaking process using a flat stone or metal plate on which the image areas are worked using a greasy substance so that the ink will adhere to them, while the non-image areas are made ink-repellent. Here we see a woman in her undergarments, set within an intimate domestic setting, with an emphasis on materiality of clothing and interior decor. Note the contrast between the rough texture of the lithographic crayon and the delicate rendering of the woman's clothing and skin. It's not just an image but also an object made through labor-intensive processes. Gavarni's lithograph reflects the rise of mass media and print culture. Ultimately, Gavarni's work encourages us to look beyond the surface and consider the social context and the means of production that shape our understanding of art, blurring the lines between fine art and social commentary.