Sint Nicolaas te paard gezeten, / Laat alle goede kindren weten [(...)] 1831 - 1854

This color print at the Rijksmuseum, made by Erve H. Rynders, probably in the early 1800s, captures Sinterklaas on horseback. It was made through wood engraving, a process where the image is carved into the end grain of a block of wood. The process is crucial to understanding the image itself. Wood engraving allowed for relatively large print runs, making images like this affordable for a wide audience. You can see the slightly rough texture and distinct lines that come from the carving process, giving it a direct, folk-art quality. The image also connects to social issues of labor and class. The mass production of prints democratized images, making them available not just to the wealthy but also to ordinary families celebrating Sinterklaas. The print embodies a shared cultural experience, and it challenges traditional notions of high art. It reminds us that making and materials are deeply embedded in cultural practices.