Membres de la société de secours du Dix-Décembre ... c. 19th century

This lithograph was created by Honoré Daumier. It's made with a greasy crayon on a stone slab, then printed on paper - a process that allowed Daumier to produce images quickly and distribute them widely. Daumier was a master of social commentary, and lithography was his chosen weapon. Here, the rough texture of the crayon strokes adds to the immediacy of the scene, a brutal attack by members of a political society. Notice the contrast between the dark, aggressive figures and the vulnerability of their victim. The stark black and white emphasizes the violence. Daumier’s skill lay in using a commercial process to deliver a powerful message, undermining any high/low distinction. He harnessed the power of mass production to critique the very society that enabled it, reminding us that even the most seemingly humble materials can carry profound weight.