Portret van Léon Lignoux before 1887

This portrait of Léon Lignoux was printed in the late 19th century, using lithography, a process of printing from a flat stone or metal plate. The portrait, surrounded by a laurel wreath, appears within the pages of a literary publication. Lithography was a revolutionary technology. It democratized image-making, because it allowed for mass production and distribution of images and texts. The rise of lithography parallels the growth of print culture and the expansion of literacy. Note the amount of text on these pages, evidence of an emerging reading public. Consider the labor involved: from the writers and typesetters to the press operators and distributors. The seemingly simple printed page is a product of complex social and economic forces. Examining this portrait through the lens of its making reveals its connection to broader historical trends, blurring the lines between art, industry, and everyday life.