Burgerlijke familie in de regen 1834

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, Burgerlijke familie in de regen, with ink on paper. The magic of lithography lies in its capacity to capture a velvety, almost painterly quality from a relatively simple printing process. Daumier drew directly onto a lithographic stone with a greasy crayon. This allowed him to achieve a tonal range from light grays to deep blacks, visible here in the contrast between the family's exposed skin and their rain-soaked clothing. This creates an immediate sense of depth and volume, as if we're witnessing a fleeting moment in real life. Consider the labor involved, not only in Daumier's artistic process, but also in the implied narrative. We see a bourgeois family struggling against the elements, perhaps returning from a leisure activity disrupted by sudden rain. The print subtly comments on the social realities of 19th-century Paris. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we gain a richer understanding of Daumier's work, challenging any high/low art distinction.