Portret van Lady Jane Grey c. 1826 - 1838

This is Nicolas Maurin’s lithograph portrait of Lady Jane Grey, made in France in the first half of the 19th century. Lithography, unlike earlier printmaking techniques, used a flat stone and greasy crayon, to create an image based on the repellence of grease and water. The texture and detail are achieved by the careful application of the crayon to the stone. Look at the intricate lattice-work of Lady Jane’s hat, and the delicate folds of her sleeves, and the way the printing technique picks up every minute detail. This was a laborious, craft-based process, but one which allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images, and the rise of mass media. The technique enabled artists like Maurin to disseminate images far and wide. And in doing so, it challenges traditional notions about artistic value, and the relationship between original and copy. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are made, and that materials, making, and context are key to understanding their full meaning.