Phenomene vivant 1832

This lithograph, ‘Phenomene vivant’, was made in France, by Numa, sometime in the 1800s. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. The artist would have drawn this image on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, before applying ink. This method allowed for the relatively quick and easy reproduction of images, playing a key role in the rise of mass media and consumer culture. Here, it results in a relatively simple line drawing, brought to life by hand-applied color. The print captures a moment in the theater. It is a portrait of the so-called "living phenomenon," or "Phenomene vivant", showing people dressed in different layers of opulent fabrics, which is an approach that puts focus on the fashion of the time, and also references social standing and political dynamics. Ultimately, this lithograph connects the skilled work of the artist with the industrial processes, reflecting the changing landscape of art production and consumption in 19th-century France.