Java, het voornaamste eiland der Nederlandsche bezittingen in Azië. - 10,000,000 inwoners 1850

This is a page from a children’s magazine, printed by Jan Schuitemaker in the Netherlands. It depicts the island of Java, then a Dutch colony, through a combination of text and images. The printing process itself speaks volumes. Notice the density of ink, and the fineness of the lines. This was a product of industrialization, of the mass media spreading its reach around the world. The images are not only informative, showing maps and landmarks; they’re also designed to inspire a sense of the exotic. Consider how this imagery would have been consumed: by children in comfortable Dutch homes, as Java was being exploited for its resources. This wasn’t just an educational tool; it was also a form of propaganda, normalizing colonial exploitation for a young audience. So, when you look at this seemingly simple printed page, remember that its material form—its very existence as a mass-produced object—is deeply intertwined with the social and political realities of its time. The means of production are never neutral; they always carry a message.