Kinder-spelen 1827 - 1894

M. Hemeleers-van Houter made this print, Kinder-spelen, using lithography, a process reliant on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. Lithography allows for the creation of multiple copies, which democratized image production in the 19th century. The image is drawn on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treated with acid. When the surface is wet, the ink adheres only to the drawn areas, allowing for printing. This process, unlike engraving, enables artists to work with a wide range of marks and tones, similar to drawing. In this print, you can observe the flat, graphic quality, and the somewhat muted color palette achieved through the lithographic process. The choice of lithography reflects a shift towards more accessible forms of art production, aligning with broader social changes that would have seen childhood as a distinct phase of life, worthy of documentation. Considering the materiality and processes behind it reveals the print's connection to the burgeoning print culture of the era, marking a transition in the making and consumption of images and a move towards capturing everyday life.