Pastorale 1896

Henri Fantin-Latour created this print, Pastorale, using the technique of lithography. This process involves drawing an image on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then applying ink which adheres only to the drawn areas. The resulting print has a soft, almost blurry quality, perfectly suited to the romantic scene. The figures, reminiscent of classical nymphs and satyrs, are set in a lush, dreamlike landscape, evoking a sense of idyllic pleasure and leisure. Lithography was a relatively new and accessible medium in the 19th century, allowing artists to produce multiple copies of their work, and reach a wider audience. While Fantin-Latour also worked in painting, his embrace of printmaking speaks to a desire to democratize art, and engage with the burgeoning market for affordable images. It's important to consider these material and social factors when we look at Pastorale. Fantin-Latour's choice of lithography wasn't just about aesthetics. It was a conscious decision to participate in a changing art world, where new technologies and modes of production were reshaping the relationship between artists and their audiences.