Pernici. / Perdrix. / Rebhühner. / Partridges. / Patrijs 1829 - 1880

This print of partridges was made by the firma Joseph Scholz. The image, with its subtle gradations of tone, was created through lithography, a printing technique based on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. A design is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon. The stone is then treated with acid and gum arabic, so that the crayon marks attract the oil-based ink, whilst the remaining surface attracts water and keeps free of ink. The printmaker likely used multiple stones to build up the many colours we see here. Lithography was originally prized for its ability to reproduce the effects of drawing and painting. However, the technique also had industrial applications. It enabled the mass production of printed images – everything from advertising posters to labels for canned goods. So, while this print is now housed in a museum, it originally belonged to the world of commerce and mass culture. Paying attention to the material and historical context of an image like this helps us understand its original purpose, and appreciate its significance in a new way.