Advertisement for the Philadelphia lithographic firm containing an ornate stone monument adorned with allegorical figures, and historical and work scenes. The central scene in the recess of the monument shows the anecdotal story of the "The Discovery of Lithography 1796 by Aloys [sic] Senefelder." Depicts Senefelder in his study, absent of paper, writing a laundry list with a grease pencil on lime stone to record his mother's laundry list as she stands behind him with her laundry basket. Books lay on the floor and on a bookshelf on the wall above rulers and a level. The allegorical figures of Commerce and Art stand near columns on each side of the arched recess. Above the arch sits the figure of Lithography. She holds an ink roller and a lithographic stone. A cherub draws on the stone opposite another cherub with a portfolio. Scene, on the pedestal of the monument, show a lithographic artist drawing on a stone and a lithographic printer rolling ink on a stone at his press. The monument also contains sculpture, gargoyles, ornamental bas-reliefs, and pendants. Flowering vines surround the edges of the monument. The firm operated under the name T. Sinclair & Co. ca. 1854-ca. 1859., Inscribed on verso: Presented by Esther [Sersel?] Aug. 23, 1957., Not in Wainwright., Philadelphia on Stone, POSA 92, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bb 38 S 616
Creator
Bigot, Alphonse, ca. 1828-1872 or 3, artist
Date
[ca. 1858]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Bb 38 S 616
