o make inexpensive lithographs
look more like original oil paintings, lithographers
frequently varnished and framed them. Many of the
nineteenth-century posters in the McCormick Collection
were varnished, suggesting that they were meant to be hung in homes
and offices. Some contemporary observers applauded
lithography’s ability to bring imitations of fine art
to the masses, while others claimed it simply degraded
the originals.
o make inexpensive lithographs
look more like original oil paintings, lithographers
frequently varnished and framed them. Many of the
nineteenth-century posters in the McCormick Collection
were varnished, suggesting that they were meant to be hung in homes
and offices. Some contemporary observers applauded
lithography’s ability to bring imitations of fine art
to the masses, while others claimed it simply degraded
the originals.