Verklaring van het gedenkteken voor Joost Izaak Cremer 1807

This is a memorial print made by Noach van der Meer II, likely around 1807, using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid on a metal plate. The relatively low cost and easy reproducibility of etching made it a perfect medium to create images and distribute information amongst a wide audience. Here, the print functions as a commemorative text following the death of J.I. Cremer, a man described in the text as ‘God-fearing’ and ‘faithful’. Consider the amount of work involved in this type of printmaking. An engraver would need to be skilled in drawing, and knowledgeable about chemistry, to prepare and etch a metal plate. After this, the prints could be made quickly, using a printing press and relatively unskilled labor. This memorial print represents a fascinating intersection of artistic skill, industrial production, and a society eager to commemorate its members. It reminds us that images, like objects, have complex histories tied to labor, politics, and consumption.