Bohemes: On the road to the Assises Court 1853

Paul Gavarni created this lithograph, Bohemes: On the road to the Assises Court, using a greasy crayon on a flat slab of limestone. This printmaking technique allowed him to create many identical copies of the same image. The medium’s qualities are evident in the print’s appearance. Gavarni expertly builds up areas of tone through thousands of tiny, irregular strokes, creating a grainy texture. Lithography was a relatively new medium at the time, cheaper and quicker than older methods of engraving and etching. It democratized image production. Gavarni made his name producing satirical prints for popular journals. He portrayed everyday life in Paris, including the city’s working class. This particular image depicts a man on his way to court, presumably as a witness or defendant. Lithography enabled artists like Gavarni to comment on the social and political issues of their day, reaching a wide audience. It was a truly modern medium for a truly modern age.