Portret van George Hamilton-Gordon, graaf van Aberdeen 1843

Émilien Desmaisons created this portrait of George Hamilton-Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen, using lithography, a printmaking process that democratized image production in the 19th century. Unlike etching or engraving, which require laborious carving into metal, lithography relies on the chemical repulsion between oil and water. The artist draws on a flat stone surface with a greasy crayon, then treats the stone so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This print was likely based on a pre-existing painted portrait. Lithography's relative ease allowed for mass production of images, fueling the rise of illustrated newspapers and magazines. In this context, portraiture became more accessible, extending beyond the realm of the wealthy elite. Note the detail captured here, and the tonal gradations made possible by the lithographic process. So, next time you see a print, consider the historical context of its making. It is not just an image, but evidence of a shift in the means of production, with profound social implications.