De vermakelijke Arlequin 1833 - 1856

This print of a harlequin was made by Glenisson & Van Genechten using lithography, a process that allows for relatively quick reproduction. The material of this artwork is, therefore, not just the ink on paper, but also the limestone block that would have been used to create the matrix for printing. The artist draws on the stone, which is then chemically treated, so that the ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This print would have been one of many pulled from that stone. Given the use of lithography, we can assume that this image was intended for wide distribution. Harlequins, with their checkered costumes and mischievous behavior, have long been popular figures in theater and art. But here, the ease of production implies a direct tie to market demand and consumption. This image reminds us that even seemingly lighthearted subjects are the product of labor and the dynamics of a commercial system. And it goes to show, the methods of making, and the context in which artworks are created, are just as important as the image itself.