Jongen roeit in roeiboot 1895 - 1896

Alexandre Lunois created this print, "Jongen roeit in roeiboot", using lithography. The artist drew directly onto a flat stone surface with a greasy crayon or ink. Water adheres to the bare stone, while the greasy areas repel it. When inked, the ink sticks only to the drawing, which is then transferred to paper. Here, the lithographic process allows for rich tonal variations and a direct, sketch-like quality. Look at the way Lunois has captured the reflection of light on water, and the muscular tension of the young rower. The somewhat gritty texture of the lithographic stone gives the image a sense of immediacy, as if we are witnessing a fleeting moment. Lithography democratized printmaking, making it more accessible to artists. The medium allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction, and helped blur the lines between fine art and commercial illustration. This print reminds us that artistic expression is always tied to the materials and processes at hand, and that these, in turn, are embedded in broader social and economic contexts.