Leçon de Voltiges (Trick Riding) 1822

Eugène Delacroix made this lithograph, *Leçon de Voltiges*, using a stone matrix and greasy crayon. Lithography, unlike etching or engraving, doesn't involve cutting into the surface. Instead, the image is drawn directly, making it feel immediate and spontaneous. The real subject here isn't just trick riding, but the chaos of political life. The figures are all tumbling off their horses, a not-so-subtle commentary on the instability of power. Lithography allowed for the quick production of images like this, perfect for distributing political satire widely. Think about the skilled labor involved: from the quarrying of the limestone, to the artist's hand, to the printing process itself, all these actions give the artwork its form. Ultimately, this print reminds us that even seemingly ephemeral political moments are grounded in material processes and social conditions. And that the distinction between 'high art' and popular commentary is often less clear than we might think.