Visitekaartje van steendrukkerij L.S. Leman te Amsterdam 1840

This calling card, made by Louis Salomon Leman in Amsterdam, showcases the artistry of stone printing, or lithography. It's a process where an image is drawn on a stone with a greasy crayon, then treated with acid. The greasy areas repel water, so when ink is applied, it sticks only to the drawing, allowing multiple prints to be made. Lithography enabled the mass production of images, transforming visual culture in the 19th century. The card's design, with cherubs and decorative script, speaks to its function: to impress potential clients with Leman's skill and the modernity of his printing technology. The level of detail suggests a highly skilled artisan at work, someone attuned to the nuances of the stone and the chemical processes involved. This card embodies a moment when craft and industry converged, changing the landscape of art and commerce. It reminds us that even something as small as a calling card can carry significant cultural weight.