Doctor Spiritus en de maan c. 1843 - 1920

This satirical print, *Doctor Spiritus en de maan,* was made by Oswald Adalbert Sickert in the nineteenth century, using lithography, a technique very much of its time. Lithography allowed for the relatively quick and cheap reproduction of images, a perfect medium for political and social commentary. Look closely, and you'll notice it's essentially a comic strip, an early example of how visual narratives could reach a broad audience through mass production. The printing processes used here are key to the work's meaning, situating it within the rise of print culture and popular media. This print wasn't about unique artistry, but about getting a message across efficiently. The somewhat crude drawing style and the reliance on text reinforce this sense of the image as a tool for communication, rather than an object of aesthetic contemplation. It reflects the increasing role of images in public discourse, and the changing relationship between art, commerce, and social critique.