Ladislaus V 1828

Josef Kriehuber made this lithograph of Ladislaus V sometime in the 19th century. The medium of lithography itself is important here. A relatively new technology at the time, it allowed for the comparatively quick and easy reproduction of images, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Consider the details: the meticulous rendering of the king's elaborate robes, the crown, the staff. These aren't just symbols of power; they're also products of skilled labor. Someone had to weave that fabric, sew the garment, set the jewels, and forge the metal. Each step involves specific crafts and specialized knowledge. Kriehuber's print makes it possible to see these details, and to reflect on the many hands that contributed to the king's appearance of authority. By focusing on the making, we can look beyond the surface of this image and appreciate the complex web of human effort it represents. This challenges us to think about art not just as an aesthetic object, but as a product of social and economic forces.