Schilderles 1835

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet made this print, titled 'Schilderles', using lithography, a method that democratized image-making in the 19th century. The process involves drawing on a stone with a greasy crayon, then treating it with chemicals so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas, allowing for multiple impressions. Lithography enabled artists to reproduce their work more easily, reaching a wider audience. In this image, we see a painting lesson, a scene of artistic creation made accessible through a relatively accessible medium. The print's fine lines and tonal variations capture the texture of the artist's studio and the intimacy of the lesson. Consider how lithography, as a means of production, reflects the changing role of art in society, blurring the lines between high art and everyday life. It invites us to appreciate the skill involved not only in the depicted painting lesson but also in the printmaking process itself.