Éléments d'enquête sur le rôle de la femme dans l'industrie, les oeuvres, les arts et les sciences en Belgique / [Le Comité des dames belges pour l'Exposition universelle de Chicago] 1893

This book, entitled *Éléments d'enquête sur le rôle de la femme dans l'industrie, les oeuvres, les arts et les sciences en Belgique*, was created by A. Lesigne for the Belgian women's committee for the Chicago World Fair. It's a printed object, of course: paper made in an industrial mill, then impressed with text using a printing press. The physical qualities of the book are simple, almost humble. Its plain cover and modest size, speak to the practical purpose it served as a document of the moment. Yet, the choice of typography and the layout also reflect a deliberate aesthetic decision. What's fascinating here is not only the content of the book—an inquiry into women's roles—but how its very existence ties into the broader social and economic landscape of the time. The Belgian women's committee was itself a product of the industrial age, an era when women were increasingly visible in the workforce, the arts, and the sciences. Ultimately, this book exemplifies how materials, making, and context combine to create meaning, blurring the lines between fine art, craft, and social commentary.