Madonna 1826 - 1886

Dirk Jurriaan Sluyter created this 'Madonna' using lithography, a printmaking process, during the 19th century. Lithography involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This method allowed for relatively quick and easy reproduction of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience. The subtle gradations of tone, seen here in the delicate shading of the Madonna's face and veil, are characteristic of lithography. The print's success depended on the skilled labor required to prepare the stones, operate the printing presses, and distribute the final product. In this way, even a devotional image like the 'Madonna' was intertwined with the burgeoning industrial processes of the 19th century. Considering the materials and making of this lithograph opens up new ways of understanding its cultural significance, beyond just its religious subject matter.