Boslandschap met lezende figuur 1872

This landscape with a reading figure, by Armand Théophile Cassagne, is an intriguing example of lithography. A skilled printer can achieve an amazing range of tones and textures, as we see here in the foliage, the dappled light, and the soft modeling of the figure. Lithography is a planographic process, meaning that the printing surface is flat. The image is drawn on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treated so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas, and repelled elsewhere. This allows for a more direct, autographic mark than etching or engraving. Look closely and you’ll notice the subtle graininess, which is an inherent quality of the process. It gives the image a tactile quality, as if it were drawn directly. Cassagne uses this to his advantage, creating a rich, atmospheric effect. Although it is a mass-reproducible medium, lithography can convey a sense of intimacy. It is a reminder that even in industrial processes, the hand of the artist is still present, guiding the making.