Color litho landscape 

This landscape view was created by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen through the medium of color lithography. Lithography is a printmaking process using a flat stone or metal plate on which the image areas are worked using a greasy substance so that the ink will adhere to them, while the non-image areas are made ink-repellent. The application of color in lithography requires careful alignment, and Steinlen’s print captures a sense of spontaneity. The scene evokes a rural landscape, perhaps a scene he observed on the outskirts of a city. Consider the way in which the texture and weight of the lithographic ink give the artwork its depth. The subtle variations in color and tone, achieved through lithography, emphasize the inherent qualities of the depicted landscape, and the rich layers are tied to the wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. By considering materials, processes, and context, we can understand the full meaning of Steinlen’s artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.