Flirtatiousness 1854

Henri-Charles-Antoine Baron created this lithograph titled ‘Flirtatiousness’ sometime between 1816 and 1885. Lithography is a printmaking process using a flat stone or metal plate on which the image areas are worked using a greasy substance so that the ink will adhere to them, while the non-image areas are made ink-repellent. Baron has used this technique to full effect, creating a full range of tones from stark white to deep black with many shades of grey in between. The figures emerge from the dark background, their forms modeled through subtle gradations of light and shadow. The lithographic process allows for a softness of line and a richness of texture that is well-suited to the romantic subject matter. The image is one of a playful and intimate encounter. Baron's skilled handling of the lithographic stone underscores the importance of technical mastery in bringing artistic visions to life. It invites us to consider the labor and skill involved in its production. It challenges traditional hierarchies within the arts and crafts.