P.J. David D'Angers c. 19th century

This is Honoré Daumier's caricature of the sculptor P.J. David d'Angers, printed using lithography, a method uniquely suited to mass production. Daumier's caricature exemplifies lithography's capacity for social commentary through a cost-effective medium. The process involves drawing with a greasy crayon onto a stone, which is then treated to accept ink only where the crayon has marked. Prints are made quickly and in large quantities. This allowed for the broad distribution of satirical images, fueling public discourse in 19th-century France. Look at how Daumier exaggerates d'Angers' features, amplifying his pomposity. The soft, almost smudged quality of lithography gives the image a sense of immediacy, as if rapidly sketched for the daily news. In its time, this accessibility democratized art. The print's satirical power lies not just in its design, but also in its means of production and distribution. It is a reminder that art is always embedded in the social and economic conditions of its making.