Muizenval en twee katten 1809 - 1859

Pieter de Goeje made this print, "Mouse Trap and Two Cats," using etching and engraving. The image is rendered through labor-intensive, graphic techniques. Look closely, and you can see how the artist has manipulated the lines to produce a range of tonal effects and textures. De Goeje's focus on the contrast of light and shadow helps to create a dynamic composition. This print reflects a long tradition of images produced for mass consumption, where the creation of multiples became essential to the artist's practice. In that light, consider the relationship between labor and the circulation of images in the 19th century. Here, the artist has crafted a scene that speaks to the social world, but the true ingenuity lies in the means by which it was made.