Portret van Steven Blaupot ten Cate c. 1851 - 1883

This lithograph of Steven Blaupot ten Cate was made by Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister using stone and ink. Lithography, unlike traditional printing, relies on the simple principle that oil and water don't mix. The artist draws directly onto the smooth surface of a limestone with a greasy crayon. The stone is then treated with a chemical etch, fixing the drawing. When dampened, the stone repels ink in the areas not drawn on. The inked image is then transferred to paper under pressure. The texture in this portrait is remarkably smooth, a hallmark of lithography, yet it captures the subject’s likeness with great detail, especially in the rendering of his garments. This method democratized image production, allowing for relatively quick and inexpensive reproductions, making portraiture accessible beyond the elite. The material qualities and the printing process itself speak to broader shifts in society, politics, and consumption during the 19th century. Appreciating these aspects is crucial for a fuller understanding of the artwork.