D. S. Birch 1845

This lithograph of D. S. Birch was made by Emil Ditlev Bærentzen, though the precise date is unknown. Lithography is a printmaking technique that relies on the contrast between oily and water-based substances. The image is first drawn on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treated with acid. Ink sticks to the greasy areas but is repelled by the wet ones, allowing the image to be transferred to paper. The result is a velvety, textured image, very similar to the original drawing. The lithographic process was a key technology in the 19th century, allowing for the relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images. This meant portraits like this one could be widely circulated, contributing to the rise of celebrity culture and the democratization of art. So while D. S. Birch may not be a household name today, this print demonstrates how new methods of production transformed social life.