Nederlandsche Oliefabriek Delft Delftsche Slaolie 1893

This lithograph, made by Theo Nieuwenhuis, is a promotional advertisement for Delftsche Slaolie, salad oil produced by the Nederlandsche Oliefabriek in Delft. Made in the Netherlands, the image presents an interesting case study in how commercial art borrows visual codes from the fine arts. Here we see it taking cues from the aesthetic of Art Nouveau, which was then at its height. Its fluid lines and decorative elements create a sense of luxury around the everyday product. But it's also important to consider the institutional context that Nieuwenhuis was operating in. At this time, artists increasingly blurred the lines between art and commerce, seeking to elevate the status of commercial design. By studying the history of graphic design, advertising, and the relationship between art and commerce, we gain a deeper understanding of this work.