De jongelingschap 1850 - 1881

This print, "De Jongelingschap," was made by Dirk Noothoven van Goor. The printmaking factory in Leyden mass produced this illustrated song sheet, using a technique that allowed for the relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images and text. Look closely, and you'll see the lithographic process at play. The artist likely drew the images and musical notes onto a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon or ink. The plate was then treated so that ink would only adhere to the drawn areas, allowing for multiple impressions to be made. The subtle variations in tone and line suggest the hand of the artist, yet the overall effect is one of standardization, of pieces of music, and images being made available to a wide audience. Such prints played a significant role in disseminating popular culture during the 19th century. In particular, prints such as these made art and music accessible beyond the elite, challenging the traditional hierarchies of artistic production.