Six Marines: Interior of a Port

Lithography proliferated rapidly in France so that by 1838 there were some 300 lithographic printing establishments in Paris alone. It became the most popular printmaking technique because lithographs could be printed relatively cheaply and easily in large editions. The technique was suitable for artists working in a variety of styles; its versatility can be used for spontaneous, rapid execution. Here Isabey exploited the ability of lithography to achieve diverse tones, from rich black to any shade of gray. The pale paper was utilized for highlights. The museum has an outstanding collection of early lithography that John Bonebrake enriched with these and many other examples.