This exhibition of French satirical prints from the 19th century features works by the first generation of artistic lithographers, which are drawn from the museum’s permanent collection. Daumier, Gavarni, and other French artists elevated the lithograph to an art form, exploring with humor and humanity every aspect of their era, from city to country life, family to professional life, and childhood to old age. Their original prints, published in the nascent mass press, were seen and circulated in homes, cafés, and city streets by the very people whose follies and frailties they depicted.

Curated by Libby Murphy, associate professor of French at Oberlin College, with assistance from AMAM Curatorial Assistant Sara Green ’12 and Curator of European and American Art Andaleeb Badiee Banta.