Portret van Maria Amalia van Bourbon-Sicilië 1824

This is a portrait of Maria Amalia of Bourbon-Sicily, made by Henri Grevedon using lithography, a printmaking process. Lithography depends on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. The artist draws an image on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applies water to the surface. The water adheres to the areas not covered in grease, while an oily ink sticks to the drawing. When paper is pressed against the surface, the ink transfers, creating the print. The lithographic process allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, and the mass manufacture of prints like this one. It democratized portraiture, and became a key part of the machinery of modern celebrity. The fineness of the lines also mimics the appearance of a drawing, blurring the boundaries between art and reproduction. Considering the material and the mode of production helps us to understand not only how it was made, but its cultural significance at the time. It challenges the distinction between fine art and craft.