“- Baron, I have the honor of introducing you to Mr. Mérouel, one of our biggest bankers… - Baron, I have the honor of introducing you to Mr. Cascaret, one of our biggest shareholders,” plate 31 from Croquis D'été 1858

This lithograph was created by Honoré Daumier in the 19th century. It's a print, meaning it was made in multiple impressions using a stone matrix and greasy crayon. The magic of lithography lies in its ability to capture a drawn line with incredible subtlety. Daumier expertly exploits this quality to render a scene of social satire. We see a group of figures at the beach, their bodies caricatured with a cynical eye. The print medium allows for the dissemination of this critique to a wide audience. Daumier was deeply invested in the politics of his day, regularly lampooning the bourgeoisie and the wealthy elite, as seen here. The immediacy of the lithographic line lends itself perfectly to this task, capturing the fleeting expressions and postures of his subjects with deftness. It's through this manipulation of material and process that Daumier's work achieves its enduring power. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward materials can carry potent social commentary.