Un léger manuscrit c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier made this print, titled "Un léger manuscrit," using lithography, a process of drawing with a greasy crayon on a stone and then printing the image. It's a direct medium, and here you can see the marks of the crayon, built up to create areas of shadow and texture. The quality of line is what gives this print its character. Daumier has varied the marks to create a sense of volume and space, and bring us into this intimate moment between two men. You can imagine the artist at work, using a sharp tool to bring out the image. Daumier was very interested in the theater, and the social dynamics of Paris. This image probably reflects the daily realities of many artists and playwrights at the time, as they tried to gain approval from theater directors. This print is a reminder that images are made through labor, and that the circumstances of production can influence the final result.