Autolithographies by Wł. Barwicki

The portfolio was printed at Adam Jarzyński's company, which before the war was situated at 3 Bernardyńska Street. Barwicki decided to cooperate with this company because it was an artistic printing house. It cared about the level of its products and ensured reasonable prices. It specialised in small graphic forms, such as business cards, restaurant menus, wedding invitations, letterheads, postcards and diplomas. These were works which required from the printer not only a correct execution of the craft, but also an aesthetic sense, precision and composition skills. During the occupation, the printing house was located at 4 Przechodnia Street.

In the second decade of the 20th century, graphic art was still the most popular form of image reproduction. Although press photography already existed, its quality was not always good. Moreover, it only allowed the real image to be captured. Drawing and graphic art allow the artist to put the products of his imagination onto paper.

Autolithography is one of the graphic techniques created entirely by one artist. He makes a drawing on a lithographic stone and then prints it with his own hands in a press. Sometimes the artist makes only the drawing and the lithographer transfers it onto the lithographic stone and processes it. In the case of autolithography, the artist has control over the process of creating the work at all times.