Lucretia verslaat de burggraven 1843

This lithograph, "Lucretia verslaat de burggraven," was made by Honoré Daumier, using lithographic crayon and ink. Daumier was a master of this medium, which was perfect for the mass production of images. Here, we see the figure of Lucretia towering over a group of defeated knights. She holds a distaff, full of flax, ready to spin. The contrast is striking: the knights are armed for battle, but she has the power to conquer them with nothing but her domestic labor. Spinning was a central part of women's work, a symbol of virtue and industry. Daumier makes a powerful statement about gender, labor and class. The production of prints like these allowed Daumier to engage with politics and society, bringing art into the realm of everyday life. He elevates the status of women's work, making it a symbol of strength. The lithographic process, with its inherent connection to mass production, becomes a vehicle for social commentary.