Les maris me font toujours rire: Prends garde, chéri.. 1853

Paul Gavarni created this lithograph, titled "Les maris me font toujours rire: Prends garde, chéri..", sometime in the 19th century. Lithography is a printmaking process where the artist draws on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance. That surface is then treated so that the ink adheres only to the drawn areas, allowing for a print to be made. Looking closely, the texture of the lithographic crayon is evident, giving a soft, almost hazy quality to the image. This technique allowed artists to create prints that closely resembled drawings, opening up new possibilities for artistic expression. Lithography itself was revolutionary, democratizing image production. It allowed for mass production of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience, and reflecting the rise of consumer culture. It also provided employment for skilled workers, and created new industries centered around print production. Ultimately, understanding the material and the making of this lithograph provides valuable insights into the social and cultural context in which it was created.