Groep met musici waaronder tamboers 1825 - 1829

Auguste Raffet made this print, “Group with Musicians including Drummers,” using lithography, a technique based on the simple physical principle that oil and water don’t mix. To make the image, Raffet would have drawn with a greasy crayon onto a block of fine-grained limestone. The stone would then be treated with a chemical etch, so that only the drawn areas would attract ink. From this inked surface, multiple impressions could be printed. Lithography democratized image-making during the 19th century, allowing for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction. You can see how Raffet has taken advantage of this capacity, creating an image that is full of quick, active lines. They convey the scene’s energy, while also emphasizing the social dynamics of the group. The men are caught in a moment of communal action, their instruments tools of both music and military might. Raffet’s choice of lithography is more than just a technical one; it’s a reflection of the era’s changing attitudes toward art and its role in society.