What is an Original Lithograph?
The word “lithograph” means, “stone print”. Lithography works on the simple physical principal that oil and water do not mix. Alois Senefelder of Bavaria invented this technique around 1798. Senefelder also discovered the best lithographic stone in the village of Solenhofen. This particular grade of carbonaceous limestone was of the highest quality having a very even texture and just the right porosity and density to receive grease and water with sufficient readiness. The method used in preparing a stone for printing was first to cut the stone the required size, i.e. slightly larger than the overall size of the art to be created and several inches thick. The thickness was needed to prevent the stone from cracking under pressure. The surface to be drawn upon was then very carefully ground with either sand or finely ground glass until perfectly smooth. The image is drawn in reverse on the stone with greasy crayons. When the drawing is completed, the stone is subjected to a bath of gum ar
