Mon cher ami, nous avons appris ... c. 19th century

This image by Honoré Daumier was made using lithography, a printmaking process where an image is drawn on stone and then transferred to paper. The result is a work with incredible tonal range, seen in the subtle gradations of shading that give volume to the figures and depth to the scene. Daumier uses this technique to full effect, capturing a moment of high drama, and probably high comedy too. The contrast between the fine hatching of the background and the coarser lines defining the figures is a key element of the storytelling. It suggests the way that social mores penetrate even the private sphere. The scene depicts a man in bed, seemingly unwell, being visited by two others in top hats. They’re informing him that a duel has been arranged. This was a common occurrence among the upper classes in 19th-century France, an absurd ritual of honor. Daumier’s image speaks to both the culture of that time, and the graphic means used to disseminate it, reminding us of the labor and social context embedded in even the most seemingly simple works of art.