Première au Rendez-vous 19th century

This color lithograph, titled "Première au Rendez-vous," was created anonymously on paper. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the simple principle that oil and water don't mix. The image is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treated with chemicals so that only the drawn areas attract ink. The paper is pressed against the inked surface to create the print, allowing for the mass production of images like this one. The application of color would involve printing the image multiple times, each from a different stone. This process democratized image-making, making art accessible to a wider audience. The fashionably dressed woman suggests a rising middle class eager to consume such imagery. The lithograph's existence speaks to the changing landscape of art and consumerism. By considering the medium, we can appreciate how technologies have been used to create and distribute images, reflecting societal values and cultural shifts.