Orkaan 1835

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet created ‘Orkaan’, using lithography, a printmaking process that allows for detailed tonal gradations. A lithograph begins with a smooth stone, on which the artist draws an image using a greasy crayon or ink. The stone is then treated with chemicals, so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. When printed, the image transfers to paper, creating a mirror image of the original drawing. Looking closely, you can see the subtle shading and fine lines achieved through this process. The swirling wind and dramatic sky are rendered with remarkable detail, capturing the intensity of the storm. The figures of the man and dog, dwarfed by the landscape, highlight the power of nature. Charlet skillfully used lithography to convey a sense of drama and movement, elevating what might have been a simple landscape into a powerful statement about the forces that shape our world. This work reminds us of the beauty and expressive potential inherent in so-called ‘humble’ printmaking.