Portret van Claudius Pieter Gevers c. 1830 - 1836

This is a portrait of Claudius Pieter Gevers, made by H. van Boterdael, using a technique called lithography. The process begins with a flat slab of limestone, on which the artist draws an image using a greasy crayon. The stone is then treated with acid, making the drawing adhere firmly, before being inked and printed. This is a chemical process, more akin to dying than to carving. Lithography democratized the production of images, making them cheaply reproducible, and helped to fuel the explosion of print culture. Consider the skill involved in drawing the portrait in reverse, so that it would appear correctly in the final print. Note too the texture of the stone that comes through in the final impression. Though it's a relatively direct method, lithography still requires intense material understanding, and a good understanding of the printing press that would bring the image to life. It invites us to consider the labor and skill involved in printmaking, and its impact on wider society.