Imamzadeh graftombe bij Kashan 1843 - 1854

Eugène Flandin created this print of the Imamzadeh tomb near Kashan, using a technique that perfectly suited his role as a documentarian. The printmaking process itself becomes a lens through which we view this historic structure. Lithography allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, crucial for disseminating visual information across Europe. Flandin, trained as a painter, embraced this medium, recognizing its capacity to capture detail and atmosphere. The grainy texture of the lithographic stone, combined with the precise lines of the architecture, creates a striking contrast. This choice of material and process speaks to a shift in how art was being used – less as a unique, handcrafted object, and more as a tool for recording and sharing knowledge. Consider the labor involved: from quarrying the stone to the artist’s hand rendering the image, and finally, the press churning out copies. Ultimately, this print reminds us that even seemingly straightforward depictions are shaped by the materials and processes used to create them, reflecting broader cultural and technological shifts.