Beknoopte levenschets / Van den H. Alphonsus-Maria de Liguori, / Stichter der congregatie des allerheyligsten verlossers / Précis de la vie / De saint Alphonse-Marie de Liguori 1833 - 1911

This print, made by Brepols & Dierckx, presents a concise life story of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The printmaking process, likely a form of engraving or etching, allows for detailed imagery and text to be reproduced. The level of detail suggests a skilled artisan, though the print's availability indicates a wider audience than a unique artwork would reach. Note the relatively crude color added to the print. This would likely have been done by poorly-paid outworkers in a dispersed cottage industry. The material—paper—becomes a vehicle for disseminating religious ideology, reflecting the increasing role of print in shaping popular belief. It also reveals a burgeoning market for religious iconography, catering to both personal devotion and public display. The very act of reproduction raises questions about authenticity and value, challenging traditional notions of art as a unique, handcrafted object. Ultimately, this print underscores the complex relationship between art, commerce, and religious practice in the 19th century, blurring the lines between sacred image and mass-produced commodity.