Artwork
Lithograph des Freres a Lucerne

Lithograph des Freres a Lucerne is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a lithographic print titled “Lithograph des Frères à Lucerne.
About this work
Overview
The work is a lithographic print titled “Lithograph des Frères à Lucerne.” It presents a modest urban street in the Swiss city of Lucerne, captured from a perspective that places the viewer within a narrow alley. The composition includes two male figures, a passing woman, and a shop front marked with the French word “Frères,” indicating a family‑run establishment.
Subject & Meaning
The two brothers, positioned in the foreground, suggest a familial presence, while the lone woman in a long dress adds a sense of movement and social variety.
The scene portrays everyday life in a 19th‑century European town, emphasizing the interaction of private and commercial spaces. The two brothers, positioned in the foreground, suggest a familial presence, while the lone woman in a long dress adds a sense of movement and social variety. The shop’s striped awning and signage hint at the multilingual character of the region, where French terms appear alongside local architecture.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the artist employs a network of fine, precise lines to render light and shadow, producing a balance between crisp definition and subtle tonal gradation. Textural details—such as the wooden shutters, the pattern of the awning, and the diminutive figures—are rendered with a realism that conveys depth without sacrificing the flatness inherent to the print medium.
History & Provenance
The print is part of the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage known for its focus on European graphic works. Its inclusion in this collection suggests a historical interest in urban genre scenes, and the piece has been catalogued as a representative example of lithographic practice in depicting Swiss cityscapes.
Artist & collection



















