Portret van Jean-François Collin d'Harleville c. 1827 - 1830

This is a lithograph, a print made by Bernard Romain Julien during the 19th century. The image is created on a flat stone using a greasy substance, then printed. Lithography democratized image-making in the 19th century. Compared to older printmaking techniques like engraving, it was much faster and easier, allowing for mass production. This meant images could reach a wider audience. The texture is what makes this lithograph distinct, a product of the stone's surface and the artist's hand. Look closely, and you'll see the subtle gradations of tone, achieved by varying the pressure and density of the greasy marks on the stone. Prints like these played a key role in disseminating knowledge and shaping public opinion. It collapses the traditional hierarchy between original art and reproduction, raising important questions about authenticity and value in a world increasingly shaped by mass production.