Spotprent over oudejaarsavond 1860 - 1890

This lithograph by Jan Holswilder, dating from 1887, is a fascinating example of how printmaking could be used for social commentary. Lithography is a planographic process, meaning the artist works on a flat surface – in this case, a stone – using greasy materials to create an image that attracts ink, while the non-image areas repel it. The medium lends itself to the creation of detailed tonal ranges, and Holswilder uses this to great effect. Note the contrast between the darkness of the figures and the lighter areas of the composition, achieved through subtle gradations of tone. This effect would have been made possible by the division of labour. In this print we can see the commercial aspect of printmaking as part of a wider industry: the print was part of a series appearing on New Year’s Eve, and the artist collaborated with a printer. Looking closely at the print reveals a lot about the social and economic context in which it was produced. Printmaking, although craft-based, had by this point become increasingly integrated into a capitalist economy. Looking closely at materials and making helps us to consider the wider social and political context of this satirical print.