Hector 1775 - 1827

This is Pietro Bonato's print of Hector, made in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. The medium here is lithography, a relatively new technology at the time, which allowed for the relatively quick and cheap reproduction of images. The print is made using a stone matrix; the design is drawn on the surface with a greasy crayon, then treated with acid to fix it. The stone is then dampened and inked; the ink adheres only to the greasy areas, and is transferred to paper in a press. This process allowed Bonato to create a detailed and precise image of the sculpture, with delicate shading and fine lines. The lithographic process, therefore, allowed Bonato to make this classical hero accessible to a wider audience, connecting ancient ideals with contemporary society. It demonstrates how new technologies democratize culture and challenge established hierarchies.