Children, Obey Me, Do Not Play With Those Weapons 1834

J. J. Grandville created this lithograph, "Children, Obey Me, Do Not Play With Those Weapons," using the traditional printmaking process of his time. The lithographic process involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. It is an indirect process in which the artist does not carve into the matrix of the printing plate. The nature of lithography is that it enables the production of multiple copies. The choice of lithography as a medium underscores the artwork’s intention to reach a wide audience. Grandville's print likely offered social commentary on contemporary society. Its satirical edge is enhanced by the choice of lithography, which was a cost-effective method to disseminate political and social critiques. The medium itself, therefore, contributes to the artwork’s meaning, connecting it to broader issues of labor, class, and the role of art in shaping public opinion. This piece prompts us to consider the role of materials, making, and context in understanding an artwork’s full significance, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.