Schrijfster neemt afscheid van redactrice 1844

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, "Schrijfster neemt afscheid van redactrice", which translates as "Writer Bids Farewell to Editor", sometime in the mid-19th century. Lithography is a printmaking technique that relies on the contrast between oily and water-receptive areas on a flat stone or metal plate. The artist draws an image with a greasy crayon, then treats the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. Daumier was a master of this process, using it to create satirical commentary on French society, and the rise of the press. The bold lines and tonal gradations are a direct result of his expert manipulation of the lithographic crayon, capturing subtle expressions and textures. The use of lithography itself underscores the social context of the work. It was a relatively inexpensive and efficient medium, perfectly suited to mass production and dissemination of images. Daumier elevated the status of this so-called ‘low’ medium, using it to create prints with the artistic weight of painting or sculpture. He was a master of the multiple, proving that powerful art can be found in unexpected places, not just on a pedestal.