Rigi Kulm onder de berg Rigi in Zwitserland met op de achtergrond het Vierwoudstrekenmeer 1855 - 1885

This print of Rigi Kulm, Switzerland, was made by J. Keller using a now obsolete printing technology. The artist used chromolithography, which involves using a series of lithographic stones, one for each color, to build up a complex image. Each stone would have had to be painstakingly prepared by hand, a time-consuming process of drawing with greasy crayons and then treating the stone with acid to fix the design. The resulting image has a distinctive texture and color palette, due to the specific inks and papers used. Chromolithography was a popular method for mass-producing images, offering a relatively affordable way to reproduce paintings and photographs. It brought images of far-flung places like this Swiss mountain resort to a wider audience, fueling the growing tourism industry. The work involved in creating these prints was considerable, employing skilled artisans who were often working in difficult conditions. Understanding the material and processes involved in making this print gives us a deeper appreciation of its cultural and social significance.