Portret van Amable Troude 1830 - 1861

This portrait of Amable Troude was made by Antoine Maurin using lithography, a printmaking technique that allows for relatively quick reproduction. The process involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then applying ink, which adheres only to the drawn areas. The lithographic process, born of the industrial revolution, democratized image production. Unlike unique paintings or laborious engravings, lithographs could be produced in multiples, making them accessible to a wider audience. This particular print captures the likeness of Troude with a precision made possible by the lithographic technique, evident in the fine lines and subtle gradations of tone. Consider the labor involved: from the quarrying of the lithographic stone to the hand-cranked presses used to produce the prints, lithography was both a skilled craft and an industrialized process. This artwork straddles the line between art and industry, reflecting the changing landscape of artistic production in the 19th century. Understanding its making allows us to see beyond the image itself, and appreciate its wider social and economic context.