John Bull in Parijs 1849

This lithograph, called 'John Bull in Paris', was made by Alexandre Baulant in the 19th century. A lithograph is made by drawing on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, then inking the stone and pressing paper against it. It's a method that allows for relatively quick and cheap reproduction, which is important for understanding this print. The lithograph depicts scenes of British tourists in Paris, and relies on mass-produced images and stereotypes for its humor. The busy composition is filled with caricatures, reflecting a society increasingly shaped by industrial capitalism and mass media. Lithography democratized image-making, but it also participated in the spread of biases, and simplistic visions of national identity. Consider how this artwork, made using a technology born of industrialization, both reflected and reinforced social dynamics of the time. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images can be deeply intertwined with the politics of their day.