Menu van een diner op 18 maart 1888 before 1888

This menu for a dinner on March 18, 1888, was made by an anonymous artist. It's printed on card, with the floral decorations rendered in shades of blue. The printing process is key here. In the late 19th century, there was a boom in printed matter of all kinds. This was due to technological advances, but also to the rise of a middle class that was eager for access to culture, and looking to emulate aristocratic tastes. Inexpensive printing processes like lithography and chromolithography made it possible to produce colorful images at relatively low cost. The use of floral motifs, and a certain airy elegance, evoke a sense of luxury, while at the same time announcing the democratization of design. This was a period when many people were coming to the table, in every sense. So next time you're at a fancy dinner, remember that the menu itself has a history – one tied to social mobility, the labor of printing, and the ever-changing landscape of taste.