Zie hier, tot uw vermaak, wat men u komt vertoonen, / In 't doolhof te Amsterdam, en zo gy 't by wilt woonen, / ô kindren daar gy [(...)] te kyken met gemak, / Steek deeze prent daar toe vooräf in uw zak 1806 - 1830

This is a print made by Johan Noman, probably in Amsterdam, sometime before 1833. It's made using the technique of woodcut, which is about as basic as printmaking gets. The artist cuts away at a block of wood, leaving the image standing proud, then inks and prints from that raised surface. Here, the material and the process are completely aligned with the subject. The print advertises an attraction at a fairground, and would have been sold as a cheap souvenir. The rough lines and graphic simplicity give it a direct appeal, perfect for a popular audience. Each of the small images offer a glimpse into the wonders within the fairground maze. It’s important to remember that woodcut is a labor-intensive process. Each print would have required many cuts into the woodblock, all done by hand. But despite the work involved, this kind of print was made for mass consumption, reflecting the burgeoning culture industries of the 19th century. It's a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can be deeply embedded in the social and economic realities of their time.