Mariez-vous donc! vieux Grigou... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, "Mariez-vous donc! vieux Grigou..." using a greasy crayon on a smooth stone slab. The printmaking process allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, a perfect medium for social commentary. Daumier masterfully employs the lithographic crayon to create a range of tones and textures. Look at how he uses dense, dark lines to define the woman's somber dress, contrasting it with the softer, more delicate strokes that depict the sick man in bed. The stark contrast heightens the emotional weight of the scene, the making of which can be broken down into a sequence of actions, each performed by hand. Daumier used lithography to make art accessible to a wider audience. This piece speaks to the social mores of 19th-century France, hinting at themes of aging, marriage, and perhaps the economic realities that underpinned such relationships. By understanding the materiality and means of production, we can appreciate how Daumier blurred the lines between art, social critique, and popular culture.