The reverse side is clean and in excellent condition. Sheet size: 16.5 cm x 12 cm. The technique of lithography was accidentally invented by the amateur German actor Alois Senefelder in Bohemia in 1796. This was a fundamentally new printing technique following the invention of woodcut engraving in the 15th century. According to one account, through absentmindedness, Senefelder recorded a laundry bill on limestone and it accidentally transferred onto damp cloth. Senefelder realized that the inscription could be reproduced. Even if this story is fictional, there's a grain of truth within it. Years later, the inventor published "A Complete Manual of Lithography" (Vollständiges Lehrbuch der Steindruckerey, 1818), partially translated into Russian in 1819. Lithography quickly gained popularity, with its only competitor being wood engraving. Senefelder’s followers included N. Strixner in Germany and G. Engelmann in France. J.-R. Lemercier (1803-1887), a student of Senefelder, later became the foremost Parisian lithographer. The technique of printing on stone was known before Senefelder, but he refined it and made it suitable for reproductive purposes (until the early 20th century, engraving and lithography were primarily used to reproduce painted pictures). The lithographic technique, besides the advantage of reproduction, has distinctive features that have always attracted artists. Lithography gained relevance in connection with romantic trends in art and educational activities in the first third of the 19th century. "Glimmering shadows, flashes of light, dynamism of strokes, depth of velvety matte tones resonated with romantic notions of beauty of form."[12] Lithography became indispensable in the field of journal graphics, caricature, and posters. Artists such as Eugène Delacroix, Honoré Daumier, and Paul Gavarni worked in lithography. From 1886, chromolithography for street posters was pioneered by French artist Jules Chéreau. Bright and eye-catching theater, cabaret, and dance hall posters literally brightened the gray streets of Paris. The technique of lithography offered new possibilities for creating original posters to the outstanding draftsman Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. An embellished engraving or lithograph is an excellent interior decoration; it will fit perfectly into any style of décor. The combination of the charm of the subject, antique rarity and uniqueness of the engraving with a democratic price, will transform your interior. Engravings and lithographs are a promising collectible item that is practically never forged, and their reproductions are easily recognizable. Collecting engravings and lithographs is a hobby accessible to almost anyone and does not require in-depth professional study of the subject. Price per sheet: 500