Chap. II: Je ne me reconnais plus (I No Longer Recognize Myself)

Art Historical Context

In the early 19th century, lithography flourished as a revolutionary printing technique, allowing artists to produce affordable, detailed images in multiples. *Chap. II: Je ne me reconnais plusI No Longer Recognize Myself, created in 1824 by the collaborative team of Sazerac and Duval, Adam, and Langl, exemplifies this vibrant medium. Measuring 14 1/4 × 10 1/16 inches, this print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department captures a moment of dramatic self-alienation, hinted at by its evocative French title and tags featuring men and women in interaction. Lithography, drawn with greasy crayon on stone, enabled nuanced shading and expressive lines that mimicked drawing directly—perfect for the era's booming market in caricatures, theater illustrations, and social commentary. Victor Adam, a key figure among the artists, was renowned for his lively lithographic scenes of Parisian life, often infused with humor or satire during the Restoration period under Charles X. As Chapter II of what was likely a serialized narrative, this work reflects lithography's role in democratizing art, bringing witty vignettes to a wide audience. Its cultural resonance lies in exploring themes of identity and transformation, perhaps through disguise or exaggeration, inviting viewers to ponder the fluidity of self amid France's shifting social landscape. A charming window into 1820s visual storytelling!

About the Artist

Sazerac and Duval|Victor Adam|Langlumé (French|French) · 1801 | –1866 |

French, 1801–1866|