De geschiedenis van een marmot 1876 - 1892

Victor A. Poirson created this print, “De geschiedenis van een marmot,” using lithography, a printing process that allows for highly detailed images. Here, the artist used a lithographic stone or metal plate, drawing the design with a greasy crayon or ink, that attracts ink while repelling water. The stone is then treated with chemicals, allowing the image to be transferred onto paper. Looking at this work, we might consider the relationship between mass production and art. Lithography enables the creation of multiple identical prints, democratizing access to art and visual storytelling. Yet, it also introduces a level of mechanical reproduction that challenges traditional notions of artistic originality and handcraftsmanship. This print hints at the debates of the time regarding the value of art in an age increasingly shaped by industrialization and mass media. It invites us to question how we define art, its role in society, and the ways in which it reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.