Harper’s bazaar, Christmas Possibly 1889

This Christmas cover for Harper’s Bazaar from 1889 by Luc-Olivier Merson, was produced using chromolithography. This color printing technique, popular in the late 19th century, allowed for mass production of colorful images. In chromolithography, each color in the design is separated and applied using a different lithographic stone or plate. The flat, waxy stones were drawn on with a greasy crayon, then treated with acid. Ink sticks to the drawing and is repelled by the wet stone, which transfers the design to paper. This is repeated for each color, layering them to create the final image. This technique was revolutionary, as it made colorful images accessible to a broader audience. Rather than being unique artworks, images like this one became consumer products. The skilled labor involved in creating the stones or plates and running the printing presses, however, reflects the complex relationship between art, industrial production, and consumption. So next time you see a colorful print, consider the artistry and labor that went into its making, and its place in both art history and the history of commerce.