Vue ... et elévation des ... omnibus du boulevard ... c. 19th century

This lithograph of an omnibus was made by Honoré Daumier around 1853. Printed on paper, it is a medium historically associated with mass communication, such as newspapers and posters. Daumier used lithography to reach a broad public with social and political commentary. Here, the material's inherent reproducibility is key. Lithography allowed for the swift creation of multiples, perfectly suited to Daumier's role as a caricaturist for the French magazine, Le Charivari. The medium also affects the artwork’s appearance: the marks of crayon on stone translate into soft, textured lines, lending a sense of immediacy to the scene. The print captures the experience of riding on a crowded omnibus. Daumier transforms the everyday into art, using his skills to comment on urban life and social dynamics. The act of mass production mirrors the mass transit depicted, blurring the lines between art, industry, and daily life. The material and the making are critical in understanding the artwork's commentary on modern society.