Portret van Bernhardt te Gempt 1836 - 1892

This is Bernardus Theodorus van Loo's portrait of Bernhardt te Gempt, made with lithography. The lithographic process involves drawing with a greasy crayon on a flat stone or metal plate, which is then treated to accept ink only where the crayon has marked. The printmaker coaxes forth the image through a series of chemical treatments and careful inking. The result is a finely-grained image, with a soft, almost smoky quality. Lithography democratized image production. Unlike engraving, which required specialized skills and tools, lithography allowed artists to create multiples from a drawing. This had implications for labor, politics, and consumption. It allowed for wider circulation of images, from political cartoons to advertising posters, contributing to the rise of mass media and visual culture. Considering the material and process involved, we can appreciate the skill and labor required to produce this portrait. It encourages us to look beyond the image itself and consider its historical and social context.