Oui, ma chère, mon mari a ravalé ma dignité... 1849

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, titled *Oui, ma chère, mon mari a ravalé ma dignité...*, using a greasy crayon on a prepared limestone slab. Daumier was a master of lithography, a printmaking technique ideally suited to capturing subtle gradations of light and shadow. Here, he uses it to create a scene of intimate sorrow. The figures are rendered with loose, expressive strokes, giving a sense of spontaneity. Look closely and you’ll see how the lines vary in thickness and direction, building up the forms and conveying the emotional weight of the moment. The material process is critical to the image's content. Daumier’s technique allowed for relatively quick reproduction and dissemination. This was essential for reaching a wide audience and commenting on social issues. This particular work touches on gender relations, capturing a moment of shared empathy between two women. By understanding Daumier’s chosen medium and its implications, we gain deeper insight into his artistic intentions and the socio-political context in which he worked.