Litografioiden

Litografioiden refers to lithographs, which are works of art created using the lithography printing process. Lithography is a planographic printing technique invented in 1798 by Alois Senefelder. It is based on the principle that oil and water repel each other. In lithography, an image is drawn on a flat surface, typically a limestone slab or metal plate, using a grease-based crayon or ink. The surface is then treated with a solution of gum arabic and nitric acid, which etches the non-image areas, making them receptive to water but not ink. When the plate is inked, the greasy image areas attract the ink, while the damp non-image areas repel it. Paper is then pressed against the inked plate, transferring the image.

Lithographs can be produced in various colors by using separate plates or stones for each color. This technique allows for a wide range of tones and textures, making it popular for reproducing drawings, paintings, and creating original artworks. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, lithography was widely used for posters, illustrations, and fine art prints. Famous artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Honoré Daumier, and Pablo Picasso created significant lithographic works. The process is still practiced today, appreciated for its ability to achieve subtle tonal gradations and detailed imagery, distinguishing it from relief or intaglio printing methods.