Artwork

Art of the Lithograph: Title Page, Plate I

Art of the Lithograph: Title Page, Plate I, by Alois Senefelder, 1819
Art of the Lithograph: Title Page, Plate I, by Alois Senefelder, 1819

Art of the Lithograph: Title Page, Plate I is a work on paper by the Romanticist artist Alois Senefelder. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

It says things like *"Collection de plusieurs essais en dessins et gravures"* and *"Instruction pratique de la lithographie"* at the bottom.

This is a plain, aged book cover with black ink text. The words are fancy and swirly, written in French. It says things like *"Collection de plusieurs essais en dessins et gravures"* and *"Instruction pratique de la lithographie"* at the bottom. The page looks yellowed, like it’s been around for a long time.

The book is from 1819 and teaches about lithography, a way to print images. The design is simple but careful, with small decorative lines framing the text.

If you like old printing tricks, check out technique: lithography.

Overview

Art of the Lithograph: Title Page, Plate I is a work by Alois Senefelder, created in 1819. It is a title page from a portfolio on lithography, now held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The title page features ornate, swirling French text, including the phrases 'Collection de plusieurs essais en dessins et gravures' and 'Instruction pratique de la lithographie'. The text is framed by simple decorative lines, conveying a sense of elegance and precision.

Technique & Style

The title page is printed using lithography, a technique that Senefelder helped develop. The design is characterized by its simplicity and attention to detail, reflecting the careful craftsmanship associated with early 19th-century printing.

Context

As part of a portfolio on lithography, this title page introduces a collection of prints and instructional materials on the subject, highlighting Senefelder's role in promoting the technique.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alois Senefelder

Artist

Alois Senefelder

Johann Alois Senefelder was a German actor and playwright who invented the printing technique of lithography in the 1790s.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.