Portret van operazanger Antonio Giuglini 19th century

This print, 'Portret van operazanger Antonio Giuglini', was created by Gatti & Dura, using a technique called lithography. It's essentially a planographic process, meaning the image is neither carved nor engraved. Think of it: the artists would have drawn the portrait on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon. This is then treated with acid, which fixes the drawing. The untouched areas are washed away with water, and when ink is applied, it sticks only to the drawn parts. This allows for multiple impressions. Lithography democratized image-making in the 19th century. It's relatively quick and cheap, so it made images widely accessible. This portrait isn’t just a likeness, it's a product of industrial processes, bringing art closer to everyday life and aligning it with a rapidly changing world. It blurs the lines between fine art and the commercial world of printing.