Portret van jurist Carlo Bardelloni c. 1830

Lanfranco Puzzi made this portrait of jurist Carlo Bardelloni in Fiori, around 1890, with the technique of lithography. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the natural repulsion between grease and water. The image is drawn on a smooth stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treated with acid to fix the design. When the surface is dampened, ink adheres only to the greasy areas, which are then transferred to paper. This technique allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images, democratizing access to visual media. The soft, velvety tones of the print are characteristic of lithography, and create a lifelike quality of depth and texture. The controlled lines capture the details of Bardelloni's face and clothing. Lithography was crucial to mass communication in the 19th century, serving both artistic and commercial purposes. In appreciating this print, we can acknowledge the inherent value of the skilled labor involved in its production, and the cultural significance of accessible imagery during a period of rapid industrialization.