Fabel van de ezel met het leeuwenvel aan 1758

This print, 'Fabel van de ezel met het leeuwenvel aan' was created by Johann Heinrich Meil around the late 18th century, using etching on paper. The material reality of this print – its reliance on the reproducible medium of etching – speaks volumes. Through the skillful application of acid to a metal plate, Meil created a matrix from which numerous impressions could be made. Note how the fineness of the etched lines allows for a high level of detail, and the subtle gradations of tone. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive, and could circulate widely. In this image, we see an illustration of Aesop's fable, where an ass dresses in lion's skin, and is caught. The story is given a crisp and legible form, which could be easily disseminated. Looking closely at the materiality and processes of this print helps us appreciate how meaning is not just in the image, but in its means of production, as well. By considering the way such images were distributed, we gain a richer sense of their cultural significance, moving beyond the traditional confines of art history.