Portugal. - 3,500,000 inwoners 1848

This informational sheet, titled “Portugal, 3,500,000 Inhabitants,” was printed by J. Schuitemaker, likely in the Netherlands. The lithographic process by which it was produced was gaining popularity at the time for its relative speed and low cost. The sheet gathers together a map of Portugal and views of Lisbon, Evora, and Mafra. Lithography allowed for the easy reproduction of images and text, making information more accessible to a wider audience. But the nature of this reproductive technology also means that labor is divided, and the person who designs the image is separated from the one who makes it. In this way, the print embodies both the promise of mass communication and the alienation of industrial production. Its appearance also gives us insight into the contemporary consumer culture, as the subject of the lithograph offers a glimpse into the visual culture and the dissemination of knowledge of the time. This reminds us of the social context and the labor involved in making art accessible.