Man neemt een kijkje achter de coulissen bij de Opéra de Paris 1844 - 1846

Edouard de Beaumont made this lithograph, "Man neemt een kijkje achter de coulissen bij de Opéra de Paris," using a stone matrix and greasy crayons to create a design receptive to ink. Consider the materiality of lithography itself. The artist draws directly onto the stone, which is then chemically treated. This intimate process allows for a wide range of tonal effects, as we see here in the rendering of the figures' clothing and the subtle shading that defines their forms. The texture of the stone and the artist's hand are both evident in the final print. The social context is also key. Lithography democratized image-making in the 19th century, enabling the mass production of prints for newspapers, books, and advertisements. Beaumont's choice of this medium suggests a desire to reach a wide audience. The image depicts a man looking backstage at two women, perhaps commenting on social hierarchies and the act of observation itself. By understanding the materials, making, and context, we can appreciate how this print participates in broader conversations about art, labor, and society.