Zie hier tot uw vermaak, waarmeê gij al kunt spelen, / Op dat geen ogenblik, o jeugd! u moog' vervelen 1822 - 1849

This delightful print, made by Jan de Lange in Deventer, around the early 19th century, is an example of early commercial printing. The process would have involved etching the design onto a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, then inking and pressing it onto paper. Note the hand-applied color, adding charm to what would have been a relatively inexpensive product. The images depict children's games and pastimes, offering a glimpse into the lives of young people at the time. These scenes of play, of miniature labor, were produced for mass consumption. The repetitive, skillful labor required to create the printing plate and apply the colors reflects the social and economic conditions of the time. This was a world increasingly driven by industrial production. By understanding the material and the means of production, we can appreciate the work not just as art, but as a product of its time, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.