The Mother of the Gracchi 

This lithograph, a print made from a stone matrix, was created by John Leech in the 19th century. The image is built with thin, wiry lines, which are then brought to life with watercolor washes of red, yellow, and blue. The lithographic process allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images for mass consumption, particularly in periodicals. The hand-application of color, while less efficient, would have added a touch of luxury to the finished product, hinting at a higher value. The very subject of this print – high society women and children in period costume – speaks to the aspirations of a newly moneyed class. The lithograph's style and production reflect a moment of industrial growth, with a wide marketplace for images serving entertainment and social mobility. Understanding the material conditions of this work, therefore, allows us to see it not just as a picture, but as an artifact embedded in a complex web of social, economic, and technological forces.