Oleographs

Oleographs

Oleographs, also known as chromolithographs, are color prints made using the technique of chromolithography. This printing process involves using multiple lithographic stones or plates, each one inked with a different color, to create a full-color image. Oleographs were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in India, where they were used to reproduce religious and mythological images. The process of creating an oleograph begins with a black and white image that has been drawn or photographed. This image is then transferred onto a series of lithographic stones or plates, each one representing a different color. The stones or plates are then inked with their respective colors and printed one on top of the other, until the final image is complete. Oleographs were often used to reproduce religious and mythological images, as well as portraits of important figures and scenes from everyday life. They were particularly popular in India, where they were used to create images of Hindu gods and goddesses, as well as scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. While oleographs were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they eventually fell out of favor as new printing techniques were developed. However, they remain an important part of the history of printing and continue to be collected and appreciated by art enthusiasts and collectors.

chromolithography, lithographic stones, religious images, India, printing techniques

— Steven Thompson

CITATION : "Steven Thompson. 'Oleographs.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/oleographs?E=392115 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"