A visual art printing technique, invented by
Aloysius Senefelder (1771–1834). This method of printing is based on using a
limestone and a
grease crayon as the medium. The limestone surface is chemically treated and very highly polished, then inscribed (Inverted, since it is a
kliche)with the crayon. The stone is then colored with
oil based ink, but the ink will only 'stick' to the crayon drawing. A lightly moist paper is then pressed on the stone to form the final artwork.
A litography is probably the second-most valuble form of paper-based paintings. It represents a lot of work and is not usually printed in large amounts, only small series. The finished litography is most often signed by the artist and numbered.