Choix de terres cuites antiques du cabinet de M. le vicomte Hte. de Janzé / photogr. par Laverdet et reportées sur pierre lithographique par Poitevin; texte explicatif par J. de Witte 1857

This print, made by J. de Witte, combines photography and lithography to showcase antique terracotta sculptures from the collection of the Viscount Hte. de Janzé. Photography by M. Laverdet captured the original images, and then these photographs were translated to lithographic stone by M. Poitevin. Lithography is a fascinating printing process that relies on the antipathy between grease and water. The artist draws an image onto a flat stone surface with a greasy crayon, then the stone is treated with a chemical etch. When dampened, the stone repels ink in the areas that have not been treated with grease, allowing for detailed reproductions. The lithographic process here bridges the gap between the immediacy of the photograph and the artistic interpretation inherent in printmaking. The final image is a testament to the skilled labor involved in both photography and lithography, highlighting how these processes can be used to document and disseminate cultural artifacts. This particular lithograph exemplifies how different forms of artistic knowledge could be combined, challenging the idea of a single, authoritative way of representing the world.