28/36

About this artwork

check stamp: Lugt 1828b

Art Historical Context

**28/36 by Isidore-Laurent Der (1829–1831)** Created during the early Romantic era in France, *28/36* is a lithography by Isidore-Laurentoy (1797–1891), a master Parisian printmaker renowned for his precise reproductions of architecture, landscapes, and contemporary scenes. Produced between 1829 and 1831, this sheet measures 267 × 353 mm and forms part of a larger series, as indicated by its numbering—likely one of 36 plates capturing the vibrancy of post-Napoleonic Paris. Deroy's work bridged fine art and mass dissemination, making high-quality images accessible to a growing middle class. Lithography, invented just decades earlier, revolutionized printmaking with its crayon-like drawing on stone, allowing for subtle tones and intricate details unattainable in earlier techniques like etching. Deroy excelled in this medium, often working from nature or after renowned painters, contributing to the explosion of affordable visual culture in the 1830s. The presence of the check stamp Lugt 1828b—linked to the esteemed Collection Frits Lugt—underscores its provenance and value among connoisseurs. This piece invites us to appreciate how lithography captured the spirit of urban transformation in 19th-century Europe, preserving fleeting moments for posterity. A testament to Deroy's technical prowess, *28/36* reflects an era when art democratized history.