Grev Yoldi 1834

David Monies created this portrait of Grev Yoldi using lithography, a printmaking technique that democratized image production in the 19th century. Lithography involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applying ink which adheres only to the drawn areas. The print is then made by pressing paper against the prepared surface. The texture has a subtle grain, with the velvety blacks and delicate grays achieved through careful manipulation of the crayon and pressure. The rise of lithography was tied to industrialization and expanding print culture. It enabled the mass production of images, fueling newspaper illustrations and commercial art. Monies, as a lithographer, was part of a workforce that met the growing demand for accessible imagery. While his skills were artistic, his labor was deeply intertwined with the burgeoning capitalist economy. The portrait itself, as a commodity, reflects the social status of its subject. It also signifies the complex interplay between art, industry, and social class in the 19th century.