Portret van schilder Jan Brueghel (I) 1832 - 1850

This portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel, was made by Antoine Maurin, who was active in the 19th century. Maurin specialized in lithography, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. Lithography involves drawing on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, then treating the stone so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. The image is then transferred to paper. It’s a process of skillful labor, creating multiples, which speaks to a growing market for art beyond the elite. Here, Maurin’s skill captures the texture and detail of Brueghel's likeness, from the fine hairs of his beard to the folds of his ruff, a testament to the artist’s mastery of a medium which allowed for the wider dissemination of images and knowledge. By focusing on the means of production we can better understand its cultural significance, and challenge traditional hierarchies between art and craft.