Un homme poursuivi ... c. 19th century

This print, "Un homme poursuivi...", was made by Honoré Daumier using lithography, a process involving drawing with a greasy crayon on a stone, then using ink to transfer the image to paper. The print's stark black lines and shading capture the frenetic energy of the scene. Daumier was a master of this medium, using its graphic potential to full effect. But this wasn't simply a matter of aesthetic choice. Lithography allowed for relatively quick and cheap reproduction, perfect for disseminating Daumier's social critiques to a wide audience through newspapers and journals. The caricature's exaggerated features and dynamic composition serve to satirize a pompous figure, relentlessly pursued by a fly. Through this satirical rendering, Daumier critiques the pretenses and absurdities of the bourgeois class. Ultimately, the print's power lies not only in its artistic skill but also in its accessibility and pointed commentary. The print served as a readily available form of political and social commentary, blurring the lines between art, journalism, and activism.