This is a page from an album, made by Alexander Cranendoncq in the first half of the 19th century. It’s made up of various paper cut-outs, arranged across a larger sheet. The act of cutting and pasting is a fascinating one. It takes printed images, likely mass-produced, and re-organizes them. The various scenes include people, animals, and landscapes. Each one, individually, is finely detailed, and you can see the marks of the printing press in their delicate lines. But by taking them out of their original context and applying them to the page, Cranendoncq changes their meaning. This was a popular pastime in the 19th century, particularly among women. At a time when there were fewer opportunities for creative expression, activities like collage allowed people to assert their individual taste, and create their own narratives. The humble act of cutting and pasting, therefore, becomes a form of social commentary, and a means of self-expression. It reminds us that making isn't just about materials, but about the people who use them.