Indian No.6 1856

Owen Jones created "Indian No. 6" as a chromolithograph, a color printing process allowing for detailed reproductions. The artwork’s visual impact largely stems from the chromolithography technique. This method involves using multiple lithographic stones, each applying a different color ink to the paper. The vivid hues and intricate details of the floral patterns highlight the capabilities of this then-modern technology. Jones was fascinated by non-Western traditions of ornament, including those of India. It is important to remember that Europeans’ understanding of those traditions were often filtered through a colonial lens. Jones saw the application of chromolithography as a democratizing method to disseminate these patterns across different cultures. Ultimately, "Indian No. 6" exemplifies how industrial processes like chromolithography broadened the possibilities of art production, challenging traditional views about artistic skill and originality, and raising questions about the place of design within culture.