Hemelvaart van koningin Louise Marie van Orléans 1829 - 1869

This print, made by Adrien Canelle in the 19th century, depicts the "Ascension of Queen Louise Marie of Orleans." The lithographic process used to create it was fairly new at the time, and perfectly suited to mass production. Think about that: this wasn't a unique artwork, but something that could be distributed widely, almost like a propaganda poster. The soft, grainy texture comes from the artist drawing on a stone with a greasy crayon, allowing for infinite replication. The very act of printing creates a social effect; here, it's about solidifying the image of a beloved Queen in the minds of the Belgian people. Consider the labor involved - from quarrying the limestone to the press operators making each impression, a whole industry was involved in propagating this image of piety. So, when looking at this print, remember that it's not just an image, but an object embedded in a system of labor, politics, and consumption. By understanding the material and making of this print, we gain a deeper insight into the broader social forces at play.