Eentoonigheid verveelt, verwisseling streelt het oog. / Dat dus dees nieuwe print u Jeugd vermaken moog. / Il faut à la jeunesse souvent du changement / Et c'est leur procurer un grand amusement 1833 - 1900

This print was made by Glenisson & Zonen, using etching, a method that democratized image-making in its day. The material of the print, humble paper, gives this artwork its immediacy. The fine lines, created by acid biting into a metal plate, capture scenes of daily life and allegorical imagery. The texture of the paper, likely mass-produced, reminds us of the print's intention: to be widely circulated and consumed. Etching allowed for detailed narratives to reach a broad audience, tying into wider social issues of literacy, education, and the dissemination of ideas. The amount of work involved in creating the etching plate, printing the images, and distributing them, speaks to the industrialized nature of image production. Ultimately, understanding this print requires us to consider the materials, the making process, and its social context, challenging traditional notions of artistic value.