Conducteur ... j'avais pris vos messageries ... c. 19th century

This lithograph was made by Honoré Daumier in 19th-century France, using a printing technique that democratized image production. Lithography allows artists to create multiple original impressions from a single image. It involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This printmaking technique allowed artists to respond to, and be part of, industrial society. Notice how Daumier captures the dramatic scene inside a train carriage, likely using a greasy crayon to create tonal variations. The dark, smudged areas emphasize the discomfort and distress of the passengers, while the sharp lines define the figures and the railway details. Lithography enabled Daumier to mass-produce social commentary and distribute it widely through periodicals. Daumier uses this technique to make incisive observations about modern life. The act of mechanical reproduction becomes a means to engage with the social and political issues of his time, blurring the lines between art, craft, and mass media.