Figuren en dieren 1866 - 1902

Franciscus Antonius Beersmans created this lithograph titled "Figuren en dieren" – Figures and Animals – in the 19th century. 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. As a multiple, lithographs like this were made for mass consumption. The charm of this work rests in the combination of relatively simple methods with the artist’s skill and imagination. Note the ways in which the material limitations of the process impacted the final appearance of the print. The thin lines, blocky text, and bright colors speak to the relative ease and affordability with which the image could be reproduced. When we consider the material and its making, we start to understand how images like these became popular. The relationship between the modes of production and capitalism is clear: lithography enabled a wider distribution of images, bringing art and visual storytelling to a broader audience. This print stands as a testament to the democratization of art through accessible printmaking techniques.