Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, "Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme…," using a greasy crayon on a smooth slab of limestone, a process that democratized image production in 19th-century France. The inherent qualities of lithography allowed Daumier to achieve velvety blacks and nuanced grays, crucial for the cartoon's satirical tone. Each line, each shadow, speaks to Daumier's critique of the 'bas-bleus' or bluestockings, intellectual women who challenged societal norms. The social context of the lithograph—mass-produced and distributed—amplifies its message, reaching a wide audience and fueling debate about gender roles and intellectualism. Daumier's skill in manipulating the stone and grease, combined with the printing process, is what gives this image its enduring power and bite. It is a reminder of the rich history of creative practices beyond the confines of fine art.