La justice chinoise c. 19th century

This lithograph, "La justice chinoise", was made by Honoré Daumier in 19th-century France. It's a great example of how printmaking could convey potent social commentary. Daumier was a master of lithography, a process that involves drawing with a greasy crayon on a stone, then using ink to create multiple impressions. This technique allowed for relatively quick reproduction and dissemination of images, making it a powerful tool for political satire. In this case, Daumier wields it to critique French perceptions of Chinese justice. Look closely and you’ll notice the judges and lawyers are barely awake. The image is rich with detail; notice how Daumier uses simple lines to suggest complex emotions and power dynamics. The choice of lithography as a medium is important here. It reflects the rise of mass media and the increasing circulation of images in the 19th century, the same processes of industrialization and capitalism which underpin the colonial project in Asia. Daumier’s print invites us to consider the labor involved in creating and consuming images, and the ways in which art can both reflect and shape our understanding of the world.