View of the Cloister of the Cathedral of Mainz, plate two from Allemande 1844

Nicolas Chapuy’s “View of the Cloister of the Cathedral of Mainz” is a lithograph, one of a series from Allemande. Lithography is a printmaking process using a flat stone or metal plate on which the image areas are worked using a greasy substance so that the ink will adhere to them, while the non-image areas are made ink-repellent. The image shows the interior of a cathedral cloister, with vaulted ceilings and intricate carvings. Chapuy’s masterful use of lithography captures the texture and weight of the stone architecture, while the rendering of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and atmosphere. Lithography democratized image production, and it was often used for mass reproduction, and commercial purposes. Here, though, Chapuy has elevated the medium, creating a work that is both technically impressive and aesthetically pleasing. The image offers us a glimpse into a specific time and place, but also speaks to the broader history of printmaking and its relationship to art, craft, and industry.