Laelia elegans 1885 - 1906

Jean Jules Linden made this image of Laelia elegans, a species of orchid, through the process of chromolithography. This printmaking technique relies on the careful layering of colors from multiple stones to create an image. Looking closely, you can appreciate the subtle gradations in color, and the way the artist has used stippling and hatching to suggest texture. This wasn't just a mechanical process. It required the hand-eye coordination of a skilled artisan, and a deep understanding of color theory. In its day, chromolithography was seen as a modern, efficient method of image production, yet it also depended on the labor of specialized workers. While it democratized image production, and was initially derided by proponents of older methods like etching and engraving, we can now appreciate its own unique aesthetic qualities. Processes like chromolithography challenge the traditional hierarchy of fine art and craft.