Heilige Norbert predikt voor de ongelovige Tanchlin 1825

Ignaz Bergmann made this print of Saint Norbert preaching to Tanchlin. We don't know exactly when, but probably in the mid-19th century. Bergmann created this using a technique called lithography, a printing process that uses a stone or metal plate with a smooth surface. The artist draws on the plate with a greasy substance, then applies ink, which sticks only to the drawn areas. The printmaker transfers that drawing to paper. Bergmann's choice of lithography is significant. It was an increasingly popular means of image reproduction during the 19th century, allowing for relatively quick and inexpensive production of multiple copies. This print wasn't a unique work of art but part of a larger visual culture circulated among a wide audience. By using lithography, Bergmann participates in the industrialization of art, making religious imagery more accessible. This print is not just a depiction of a saint, but an artifact of a changing social and economic landscape. It challenges our conventional ideas about art and its role in society.