Philosophes d'eau douce ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, titled “Philosophes d’eau douce,” using a greasy crayon on a stone matrix. This method allowed him to produce multiple impressions on paper. Daumier was a master of lithography, at a time when printmaking was central to French visual culture. He became famous for caricatures, made possible by lithography's capacity to create multiple images quickly and cheaply. The very nature of the medium—its reliance on reproduction—makes it an inherently democratic art form. Here, he presents two people adrift in boats, seemingly unbothered by their surroundings. The image and accompanying text suggests they are ‘sweet water philosophers, having found a way to peacefully descend the river of life.’ The rapid dissemination of lithographs, like this one, through newspapers and journals, highlights the relationship between art, social commentary, and the burgeoning culture of mass media. It reminds us that even seemingly simple prints can offer insights into the politics and material conditions of their time.