Christening of Edward VII n.d.

John Hayter created this print, "Christening of Edward VII," using a technique known as lithography. The magic of lithography lies in its directness. Unlike engraving, where the artist physically cuts into a plate, here Hayter likely drew directly onto a stone surface with a greasy crayon. The stone, probably limestone, would have been carefully prepared and treated so that only the drawn areas would attract ink. It’s a printmaking technique, and therefore suited to wide distribution, helping to shape and circulate notions of power, celebrity, and taste. The lithographic process allows for capturing the light and subtle gradations of tone, which we can see here in the robes and faces of the figures, and the way it captures a fleeting moment of royal ceremony. It democratizes the image in a way, making it accessible to a wider audience than an oil painting, but also reinforcing the social structures it depicts. Thinking about the materials and making of this print helps us understand its role in shaping public perception and royal power.