Portret van den kunstschilder Sybrand Altmann c. 1850 - 1890

This portrait of Sybrand Altmann was made by Edouard Taurel in the 19th century, using 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. This was a groundbreaking development, and it democratized image production, allowing for quick reproduction and wide distribution. Look closely, and you can see how the granular texture of the stone lends a particular softness to the overall image, making it appear almost like a charcoal drawing. The rise of lithography reflects the wider industrial and social changes in the 19th century. It made art more accessible and brought images to a broader public. The process itself, though reliant on skilled labor, was more efficient than older printmaking methods. So, when we look at this portrait, we’re not just seeing an individual, we’re seeing the impact of technology and labor on art.