Encore une heure!! 1837

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, titled 'Encore une heure!!', using stone, crayon, and ink. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the resistance between grease and water. The artist draws on a stone with a greasy crayon, then treats the stone so that ink adheres only to the crayon marks. In this image, Daumier depicts a member of the National Guard, with his rifle slung over his shoulder, checking his pocket watch. The lithographic process allowed Daumier to capture the nuances of light and shadow on the guard's face and clothing, highlighting the textures of his uniform and the weariness in his expression. Daumier was deeply engaged with the social and political issues of his time. He used printmaking as a means to disseminate his commentary widely. The work captures a sense of the monotony and the waiting involved in military service. By focusing on the material and the making, we can appreciate how Daumier elevated printmaking to a powerful form of social critique, blurring the lines between art and social commentary.