Happy Spring Time. Woman and Child Looking at Bird in Nest. 1860

This lithograph, "Happy Spring Time. Woman and Child Looking at Bird in Nest," was created around 1860 by Sir John Everett Millais. Made with lithographic ink on paper, its monochrome tones belie a process rooted in precision and subtle variation. Lithography allows for a remarkable translation of the artist's hand, as we see in the delicate rendering of the woman and child. The material qualities of the ink determine the texture of the image; the varying pressure applied to the lithographic stone gives depth to the composition, from the soft folds of the woman's skirt to the intricate nest above her head. This print also reflects the wider world of reproductive technologies during the Victorian era. Lithography enabled the mass production of images. It democratized access to art, reaching audiences beyond elite circles and shaping popular taste.