Since its invention in 1798 by Alois Senefelder of Bavaria, lithography has
developed into one of the most versatile printmaking processes available to artists.
Its look can mimic the graphic marks of a charcoal drawing, the fluid strokes of
watercolor, the razor sharp edges of a draftsman’s pen, or display effects possible
through no other medium. While the creation of an image on a lithographic stone is
as direct and intuitive as sketching with a pencil or brush, converting that drawing
into a print may seem as mysterious and complicated as alchemy. Yet, the procedure
relies on a simple premise that oil and water do not mix. Artists at lithography print
studios have exploited that property in ink on paper in a seemingly endless variety
of ways.

To augment the distinctive contemporary master prints on display in Tamarind
Touchstones, we have assembled a selection of lithographs from JCSM’s permanent
collection. Drawn Upon A Stone features a range works that offer historical and
geographic context to the Tamarind practice. Included in the exhibition are
lithographs by John James Audubon, Howard Cook, Francisco Dosamantes, Jody
Mussoff, Pablo Picasso, Ismael Vargas, and works from the Taller de Gráfica Popular
in Mexico.