Portret van Merovech, koning der Franken 1825 - 1842

Nicolas Maurin made this print of Merovech, King of the Franks, sometime in the first half of the 19th century, using a technique called lithography. Lithography is a fascinating process. The artist draws on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applies ink which adheres only to the drawn areas. This allows for highly detailed, almost photographic reproduction. Here, you can see how Maurin used the technique to create a convincing likeness of Merovech. Lithography emerged as a major medium in the 19th century, thanks to its ability to cheaply reproduce images. This had a democratizing effect, bringing art to a wider public. It also spurred the growth of commercial printing, and the mass media landscape we know today. So, next time you see a print, remember the materials and making, and how they tie into wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Thinking this way challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, and helps us to understand the full meaning of an artwork.