Lithography, a planographic method of printing based on the immiscibility of oil and water, has been an indispensable tool for artists for over two centuries. The printing is from a stone or a metal plate with a smooth surface, making it possible to produce long and detailed print runs. This article will explore the history and evolution of lithography as an art medium, its applications in fine art printmaking, and its use by notable artists....
The Art of Lithography
Lithography, a planographic method of printing based on the immiscibility of oil and water, has been an indispensable tool for artists for over two centuries. The printing is from a stone or a metal plate with a smooth surface, making it possible to produce long and detailed print runs. This article will explore the history and evolution of lithography as an art medium, its applications in fine art printmaking, and its use by notable artists.
History and Evolution
Lithography was invented in 1796 by Alois Senefelder, a German author and actor, initially used mostly for musical scores and maps. The technique quickly evolved to become a popular method of printing text and images onto paper or other suitable material. In the early days of lithography, a smooth piece of limestone was used as the print plate, with the image drawn on its surface using a greasy substance such as oil, fat, or wax. A solution of gum arabic in water was then applied, making the parts of the stone's surface that were not protected by the grease more hydrophilic (water attracting). For printing, the stone was first moistened, and an oil-based ink was applied, adhering only to the original drawing. The ink would finally be transferred to a blank paper sheet, producing a printed page.
Fine Art Printmaking
In modern commercial lithography, the image is transferred or created as a patterned polymer coating applied to a flexible plastic or metal plate. This technique allows for high speed fully automated operation and has mostly replaced traditional lithography for medium- and high-volume printing. However, traditional lithography is still used for fine art printmaking, where the artist creates an image on a stone or metal plate using greasy crayons or inks, then prints it onto paper using a flat-bed press. This method allows for subtle variations in tone and texture that cannot be achieved with commercial lithography.
Notable Artists
Many notable artists have used lithography as an art medium, including
Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva,
Alfred Manessier,
Leopoldo Metlicovitz,
Aubrey Vincent Beardsley, and
Alphonse Maria Mucha. These artists have used lithography to create a wide range of images, from delicate sketches to bold graphic designs.
Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva, for example, was a Russian artist known for her Art Nouveau style and her use of lithography to create intricate patterns and textures. Her painting "Academy of Arts" (
) is a prime example of her mastery of the medium.
Alfred Manessier, a French artist associated with the Tate Modern in London, used lithography to create abstract compositions that explore the relationship between colour and form. His painting "Untitled" () is a striking example of his use of lithography to create a dynamic and expressive image.
Leopoldo Metlicovitz, an Italian artist known for his Art Nouveau style, used lithography to create elegant and decorative images. His painting "Giuseppe Giacosa" () is a beautiful example of his mastery of the medium.
Aubrey Vincent Beardsley, an English artist known for his Art Nouveau style and his use of bold black-and-white graphic designs, used lithography to create images that are both elegant and provocative. His painting "Madame Rejane" () is a prime example of his use of lithography to create a striking and memorable image.
Alphonse Maria Mucha, a Czech artist known for his Art Nouveau style and his use of elegant and decorative images, used lithography to create some of his most famous works. His painting "The Times of the Day" () is a beautiful example of his mastery of the medium.
Conclusion
Lithography, as an art medium, has a rich history and diverse applications. From its use as a medium for sketching and drawing to its role as a surface for painting and printmaking, lithography has been an indispensable tool for artists for over two centuries. Today, traditional lithography is still used for fine art printmaking, allowing artists to create subtle variations in tone and texture that cannot be achieved with commercial lithography. Many notable artists have used lithography as an art medium, creating a wide range of images that showcase the versatility and expressive potential of this planographic method of printing.
References:
The Art of Paper
Lithographie: Un Moyen d'Expression Artistique depuis plus de 200 ans
Lithography (Wik