He called this new process chemical printing. Printing by lithography began in 1798 after it was invented by a German author, Aloys Senefelder, who was looking for a practical way to publish his plays. It is based on the simple principle than water and oil do not mix. It’s a unique yet old method of printing based on the immiscibility of oil and water. This print process is described in the very word lithography, which comes from two Greek words: ‘lithos’ meaning stones and ‘graphien’ means to write. Lithograph is an antiquated printmaking process using stones or metal plates.
Let’s see if the work of art on a stone plate is any better than other printmaking processes, especially with a variety of prints available. It wasn’t until after the Centennial International Exhibition in 1876 in Philadelphia, where it gained a significant exposure that this print art form flourished. By the end of the nineteenth century, stones were replaced with zinc and aluminum plates. Stones were used as the printing surface, which was an expensive method back then. In the early nineteenth century, lithography was usually monotone and not favored for commercial purposes. Throughout the nineteenth century lithography was primarily a graphic art form and as such is still held in high artistic repute. In fact, many renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Marc Chagall, have used this method for their art. From the beginning, artists have been intrigued with this unique printmaking technique, as they were able to draw and paint directly onto the printing plate.
Unlike many print arts and crafts practiced today, lithography has preserved a fairly authentic record of its origin.
Many curious minds are still skeptical about its origin and find it difficult to distinguish this authentic print art technique in relation to other printmaking processes. Whether you’re an avid art collector or a fine art connoisseur, there is often some level of confusion over ‘what is a lithograph’ and ‘where it came from’.
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