Komt kinders zier hier veele snaken, / Die wonderlyk aan de kost geraken, / Bevlyt uw tyd nu in uw jeugd, / En houd u buiten deze vreugd 1806 - 1830

This print, made by Johan Noman in the late 1700s, uses etching to create a grid of cautionary tales for children. The process of etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy ground, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. It’s a relatively quick process that allows for the reproduction of images. The material itself, ink on paper, speaks to a culture increasingly reliant on the mass production of images and text, a world where morality could be taught through easily disseminated visual lessons. The technique reflects a society grappling with new forms of labor, politics, and consumption. Look closely, and you’ll see how the relatively efficient process of etching allowed Noman to address broad social issues of the time. This print reminds us that all art is shaped by materials, making, and context, blurring traditional distinctions between fine art and everyday craft.