Vrouw met grootmoeder en kind 1841

This print by Paul Gavarni, now at the Rijksmuseum, was made using a lithographic process. Gavarni was one of the most famous printmakers in mid-19th century France, widely celebrated for his acute observations of contemporary life. Lithography was a key part of Gavarni's practice. It involved drawing on a stone surface with a greasy crayon, then treating the stone so that ink would adhere only to the drawn areas. This allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction. Here, Gavarni captures a scene of domestic life, perhaps with a critical eye. A young woman holds a baby, while an older woman sits nearby with a bottle of wine. The lithographic technique, with its ability to capture fine lines and subtle gradations, allows Gavarni to depict the textures of clothing, the details of the room, and the expressions on the figures' faces. It is through this relatively rapid process that Gavarni was able to keep up with the demands of a growing market for social commentary. So, when you look at this print, consider not just the image itself, but also the process by which it was made, and the social context in which it was created. It's a reminder that even the most seemingly simple works of art are often the result of complex interactions between materials, making, and culture.