Advertentie voor de tweede expositie van de Peintres Lithographes in de Salle du Figaro 1895 - 1900

This poster advertising a lithography exhibition at the Salle du Figaro, was made with lithography itself, a printing technique that was very popular around 1900. Unlike earlier forms of printmaking, like woodcut or engraving, lithography is a planographic process. The artist draws on a flat surface, often a limestone, with a greasy crayon. This image is then chemically fixed to the stone, which is wetted before printing. The ink adheres only to the greasy areas, allowing for detailed and tonal images to be reproduced. Here, the soft, velvety texture achieved through lithography perfectly suits the subject matter: a stylish woman, perhaps an artist herself, examining a print. The poster speaks to the democratization of art in the late 19th century, when new technologies made art more accessible. It also shows how artists embraced printmaking to promote their work and engage with a wider audience, blurring the lines between fine art and commercial design. The image celebrates the beauty of lithography and its role in shaping visual culture.