Portret van Alexandre Méchin 1820

This is a portrait of Alexandre Méchin, made by François Grenier, using lithography, a printmaking technique that involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, and then applying ink to create an image. The lithographic process lends itself to the replication of images, and consequently, became popular in the 19th century for commercial purposes. The material qualities of the print, such as its subtle gradations of tone and fine lines, are achieved through the artist’s skill in manipulating grease and ink. The lithograph can be considered in relation to the rise of mass production, as it offered a relatively inexpensive and efficient way to reproduce images, contributing to the proliferation of visual media in society. Here we see how it’s used for portraiture, which was becoming more widespread as the middle class gained economic power. Understanding the material and processes used to create artworks like this helps us to understand their broader social and cultural significance, while challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.