Lithography is a centuries-old printing technique that was invented in 1796 by Bavarian author and actor Alois Senefelder. It revolutionized the art of printing and is still widely used today, both in artistic and commercial contexts. A lithograph print refers to a print made through the process of lithography, where an image is drawn on a flat surface (traditionally stone) and then transferred onto paper. Let’s explore how lithography works and its significance in the art and printing world.
The Lithography Process
Lithography is based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. The process begins with the artist drawing the image directly onto a flat surface—originally limestone, but modern techniques often use metal plates like aluminum. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how lithography works:
- Creating the Image: The artist or printer draws the desired image on the stone or metal plate using a greasy substance such as a wax crayon, oil-based ink, or a specialized lithographic pencil. This is done directly on the surface where the image is intended to be printed.
- Chemical Treatment: Once the image is completed, the entire surface is treated with a chemical solution that fixes the grease in the drawn areas while making the non-image areas absorbent to water. This process ensures that the greasy image will repel water while the blank areas absorb it.
- Inking the Plate: Next, the surface is dampened with water. The greasy parts of the drawing repel the water, while the untreated parts retain it. Oil-based ink is then rolled onto the surface. The ink adheres only to the greasy drawing, while the wet areas remain free of ink.
- Transferring the Image: A sheet of paper is placed onto the inked surface and run through a printing press. The pressure from the press transfers the inked image from the plate or stone onto the paper, creating the lithograph print.
This process can be repeated multiple times to create numerous identical prints. Each individual print made from the same plate or stone is considered an original lithograph, not a reproduction.
Types of Lithographs
There are two main types of lithographs:
- Hand-drawn Lithographs: These are lithographs where the artist directly creates the image on the stone or plate by hand. The prints made from this process are considered original works of art, and each one is often signed and numbered by the artist, making them valuable for collectors.
- Photolithography: This is a more modern form of lithography, which involves creating the image photographically and transferring it to the printing plate. It is used more frequently in commercial printing processes but is less valuable in the art world compared to hand-drawn lithographs.
Importance in Art and Printing
Lithography holds a significant place in both the art world and the printing industry. Many famous artists, such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pablo Picasso, and Edvard Munch, have created iconic lithograph prints. For artists, lithography offers a level of freedom in drawing that is closer to traditional hand drawing compared to other printing techniques like engraving or etching.
In commercial printing, lithography became the foundation for modern offset printing, widely used for producing books, newspapers, posters, and packaging. Offset lithography involves transferring the inked image from a plate to a rubber blanket before printing it onto the paper, allowing for high-speed production and quality results.
Conclusion
A lithograph print is a versatile and impactful form of art and printing. Whether used in creating fine art or high-volume commercial prints, lithography continues to be a valuable technique that combines both craftsmanship and practicality. With its rich history and ongoing relevance, lithography remains a cornerstone in the world of printing.