16/48

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228a

Art Historical Context

**16/48 by Isidore-Laurent Der (1834)** Step into the refined world of 19th lithography with *16/48*, a striking print by Belgian artist Isidore-Laurentoy. Created in 1834, this work measures 433 mm high by 288 mm wide—roughly the size of a large sheet of paper—suggesting it was designed for display or reproduction. The enigmatic title hints at its place as the 16th plate in a series of 48, a common format for illustrated albums or folios of the era, showcasing Deroy's skill in capturing intricate details on stone. Lithography, perfected in the early 1800s, revolutionized printmaking by allowing artists like Deroy to draw directly onto limestone with greasy crayons, producing rich tonal gradations unattainable in earlier techniques like engraving. By 1834, amid Romanticism's rise, this medium democratized art, enabling affordable distribution of views, portraits, and scenes across Europe. Deroy, a prolific lithographer, contributed to this boom, blending precision with expressive flair. Adorned with the collector's mark Lugt 2228a, *16/48* boasts a distinguished provenance, linking it to esteemed 19th- or early 20th-century collections. This mark underscores its enduring value, inviting us to ponder the stories etched into its surface and the eyes that once admired it. A testament to lithography's golden age! (198 words)