Vier vogels op een tak 1899

This print, Vier vogels op een tak, was made by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans in 1890. The medium here is lithography, a commercial printmaking technique, notable for its ability to capture fine detail and subtle gradations of tone. The process begins with a smooth slab of limestone or metal. The artist draws an image on the surface with a greasy crayon or ink. The stone is then treated with chemicals so that only the drawn areas attract ink. Dampened paper is pressed against the surface, transferring the image. In this case, color was applied through the use of multiple stones. Keulemans was a prolific illustrator of natural history books, at a time when there was great interest in documenting the flora and fauna of the world. These images were crucial to the popular understanding of new species, and as such, were a component of colonial expansion and capitalism. By considering the materials, process, and context of creation, we gain a richer appreciation of this image, beyond just its subject matter.