Walvisgeraamte als de Koninklijke Nederlandse omnibus, 1829 1829

Jean Ignace Isidore Gérard Grandville created this print, “Walvisgeraamte als de Koninklijke Nederlandse omnibus,” around 1829. It’s made using etching and engraving, common printmaking techniques at the time. The print depicts a fantastical scene of a whale skeleton repurposed as a royal omnibus. The choice of material, a whale skeleton, is significant. It speaks to the scale of industrialization and perhaps hints at the exploitation of natural resources during this period. Look at how the ribs form the structure of the omnibus, humorously subverting their original function. The artist used line work in the etching process to create a sense of depth and texture, mimicking the hard, bony surface of the whale. Grandville’s transformation of the whale skeleton is a commentary on the changing world, where nature is commodified and adapted for human use. This work blurs the lines between natural form and industrial design, offering a thought-provoking perspective on society's relationship with the natural world.