Vrouw in Tiroler dracht 1835

This color lithograph of a woman in traditional Tyrolean clothing was made by Henri Grevedon. Lithography, as a printing technique, is intrinsically linked to industrialization and mass production. The artist draws on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then applies ink which adheres only to the drawn areas. This allows for the creation of multiple, nearly identical prints – perfect for disseminating images widely. Consider how the lithographic process itself informs our understanding of this artwork. The crisp lines and subtle gradations of color, achieved through layering multiple stones, create an image that is both precise and evocative. The artist's hand is present, yet mediated by the mechanical process of reproduction. This tension between the individual and the industrial is central to understanding the cultural impact of lithography in the 19th century, and the democratizing potential of making images widely available. This print serves as a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are embedded in complex social and technological networks.