Seul moyen de faire avec sécurité c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created "Seul moyen de faire avec sécurité" as a lithograph, a printmaking process that democratized image production in the 19th century. The image depicts two well-dressed men tensely holding pistols on a train. The lithographic process involves drawing with a greasy crayon on a stone or metal plate, then using oil and water to transfer the image to paper. The resulting print has a distinctive textural quality, a kind of velvety richness. Daumier masterfully uses lithography to capture the nervous atmosphere inside a train carriage. The cross-hatched lines create a sense of unease, reflecting the social anxieties of the time. The print medium, often associated with mass production, heightens the commentary on capitalist society, revealing concerns about safety and class tensions. The image implies that violence may be the only way to ensure ‘a pleasant trip.’ By understanding Daumier's choice of lithography, we gain insight into both the artwork's aesthetic qualities and its broader social commentary.