Christian Winther 1835

This portrait of Christian Winther was created by David Monies, using lithography. Lithography, a printing process that gained traction in the 19th century, involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy substance. The stone is then treated so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas and repelled elsewhere. The lithographic technique allowed for the mass production of images, which democratized portraiture and visual culture in general. In this particular print, the stark contrast between the dark ink and the white paper creates a striking visual impact. The softness of the gradations in tone are directly related to the printing process. The marks of the lithographic stone allow for the intricacies of Winther’s face to be captured, as well as the texture of his clothes. Lithography was very important for popularizing images, enabling a wider audience to engage with art and culture, and this print offers a fascinating glimpse into the social and artistic landscape of its time. It shows that art, in all its forms, is deeply intertwined with the society that produces it.