Laurens Coster in zijn drukkerij, 1423 1823

Jean-Baptiste Madou made this print, Laurens Coster in his Printing Shop, 1423, sometime in the 19th century. It depicts a scene of early book printing, with a man presumed to be Laurens Coster, who was once believed to have invented printing with movable type in the Netherlands. Madou’s image reflects a moment of national pride and the institutional narratives of art history. During the 19th century, there was a surge of interest in national history, and the figure of Coster became a symbol of Dutch ingenuity. This image presents Coster not just as a printer but as a figure of enlightenment, bringing knowledge to the masses. To fully understand this work, we need to consider the role of the Rijksmuseum itself as an institution that shapes national identity. Studying archival material, such as local histories and guild records, can help us understand the cultural significance of Coster and the debates around the origins of printing. Art, after all, is always made in a specific place and time.