Mon vieux, ta peinture manque de chaleur ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, ‘Mon vieux, ta peinture manque de chaleur ...’, using a greasy crayon on a slab of limestone, a material that accepts and releases ink with incredible fidelity. This was a perfect medium for his work as a caricaturist. The image shows a landscape painter working en plein air, with a companion observing that his painting lacks warmth, a comment which applies equally to the artist himself. The social context of the print is crucial; Daumier worked for newspapers that served a broad public, and lithography allowed for relatively quick reproduction. Notice the way the artist exploits the tonality of the lithographic process, creating a biting critique of the fine art world. He elevates a popular medium to the level of social commentary, questioning the traditional hierarchy between fine art and the printed image. This piece makes us consider how methods of production influence an artwork's cultural impact and meaning.