C'est un peu dur d'être obligé 1854

This lithograph was made by Honoré Daumier, using a process that democratized image-making in nineteenth-century France. Lithography involves drawing on a stone slab with a greasy crayon, then treating the stone so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. It's a printmaking technique, allowing for relatively quick reproduction, which is key here. Look closely at the subject of the artwork. Daumier's commentary critiques the social and economic hardships faced by ordinary people. The use of lithography allowed Daumier to produce images rapidly and in large quantities, making his work accessible to a broad audience, including those he depicted. Daumier's choice of lithography reflects a commitment to engaging with contemporary social issues. He's not painting for a wealthy patron; he's using a reproducible medium to speak to and about the working class. So, it's not just the image itself, but the means of its production, that carry a powerful social message.