Sheet of Sketches 1828

Auguste Raffet produced this lithographic sheet of sketches, a technique that democratized image production in the 19th century. Lithography involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then using chemical processes to create an image that can be repeatedly printed. The soft, velvety blacks and subtle gradations of tone you see here are characteristic of lithography. These effects were achieved through the artist's skilled manipulation of the crayon and the printing process. The medium allowed for relatively quick reproduction, making images more accessible to a wider audience. Raffet’s choice of lithography reflects the changing landscape of art and visual culture at the time. As a printmaker, Raffet blurred the lines between fine art and commercial production, engaging with a mode of image-making closely tied to mass communication and distribution. This work invites us to consider the social and economic forces that shape artistic practice.