Lithographs

Invented by Alois Senefelder in Germany in 1798, Lithography was the first new printing method since the invention of relief printing in the 15th century.

In engravings the image is cut into the block or plate whereas a lithographic image is drawn or painted on the surface of a limestone block using greasy inks or crayons. This is because the creation of a lithographic image depends on the repellence between oil and water Once the image has been drawn the stone is then moistened with water which wets the stone in those areas not covered by crayon.

An oil-based ink is then applied by roller which coats the image but is rejected by those areas dampened with water. The print is then created by means of a sheet of paper being pressed onto the inked stone surface.