Ali-Pacha Meiden, Smyrna 1837

"Ali-Pacha Meiden, Smyrna," was made by Auguste Raffet, most likely in the mid-19th century. The artwork is a lithograph, a printmaking process that uses a flat stone or metal plate on which the image areas are worked using a greasy substance so that the ink will adhere to them, while the non-image areas are made ink-repellent. The lithographic process enabled the relatively quick reproduction of images and was tied to the rise of mass media and visual culture in the 19th century. Unlike traditional art forms, lithography allowed for wider distribution of images, catering to a growing audience. The print's emphasis on capturing the everyday life and orientalist themes reflects a shift in artistic focus, influenced by social changes and evolving consumer demands of the time. Raffet's "Ali-Pacha Meiden, Smyrna," exemplifies the convergence of art, industry, and commerce, reflecting a changing relationship between the artist, artwork, and audience. It invites us to reconsider traditional hierarchies of art.