Portret van Gerrit Simons 1842 - 1887

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this portrait of Gerrit Simons through lithography, a printmaking process involving drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy medium. The artist then applies ink, which adheres only to the drawn areas, and transfers the image to paper. The lithographic technique lends a unique texture to the portrait. Look closely, and you'll notice the subtle graininess in the shading, created by the porous surface of the lithographic stone. This effect allows Last to capture the soft texture of Gerrit Simons’s hair and the smooth fabric of his coat. Lithography was a relatively new and accessible medium in the 19th century, enabling the wider distribution of images and contributing to a growing visual culture. By choosing this technique, Last democratized portraiture, making it available beyond the elite circles who could afford painted portraits. The marks of labor in creating the printing plate, and in pulling each individual impression, serve as a reminder of the skilled work involved in producing this image. Through his choice of material and process, Last blurred the lines between fine art and commercial reproduction, inviting us to reconsider traditional hierarchies within the art world.