Portret van Johan Rudolf Thorbecke 1866

Adrien Canelle made this portrait of Johan Rudolf Thorbecke, employing the technique of lithography, a printmaking process based on the simple principle that oil and water don't mix. The image begins as a drawing on a flat stone or metal plate, using a greasy crayon or ink. The resulting print displays a unique set of material qualities. There's a softness to the gradations of tone, almost like a pencil drawing, and a subtle texture imparted by the grain of the lithographic stone. Look closely, and you'll see how the artist has used these qualities to great effect, capturing the textures of Thorbecke's coat and the delicate play of light on his face. Lithography emerged in the 19th century as a relatively inexpensive method of mass production, and its widespread adoption had a democratizing effect, making images more accessible to a broader public. This very accessibility meant that lithography was often seen as a commercial medium, distinct from the more elevated realm of painting or sculpture. But seeing this portrait, one is reminded that all art is bound up in the specific conditions of its making.