Hotel de Sens, Paris 1839

This print of the Hotel de Sens in Paris, was made by Thomas Shotter Boys in the 19th century using lithography, a process that democratized image-making. Lithography involves drawing with a greasy crayon on a stone or metal plate, then treating it with chemicals so that only the drawn areas attract ink. This print captures the texture and weight of the hotel's stone facade, along with the more delicate rendering of figures and architecture. The method requires a collaboration between the artist and skilled printers. It was a commercially viable way of reproducing images, creating a bridge between artistic vision and industrial production. Look closely at the image, note how the textures of the stone walls are rendered with an attention to detail only possible through skilled labor. The lithographic print complicates traditional art hierarchies, because it reminds us of the social context that enabled its production and distribution.