Marktkooplieden in Havana c. 1848

Frédéric Mialhe made this print, "Marktkooplieden in Havana," using lithography, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century. Lithography involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then using oil and water to transfer the image onto paper. The resulting print captures a bustling Havana marketplace. Look at how Mialhe renders the textures of the scene, from the rough stone of the buildings to the fabric of the vendors' clothing. The lithographic process allowed for detailed replication, making images accessible to a wider audience, which speaks to the rise of consumer culture. Consider the labor involved in this marketplace: the vendors carrying goods, the boy tending to the hay-laden horses. This print isn't just a depiction of a scene; it’s a product of industrial processes, reflecting the interconnectedness of labor, commerce, and artistic production. It reminds us that art is always embedded in a web of social and economic relations.