ABC-spel, ca. 1780-1795 1778 - 1795

This is Jan Oortman Senior's "ABC-spel," an educational print made around 1790 in Amsterdam. It’s an etching, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then pressed onto paper. What I find fascinating is how this ABC poster, a very functional object, is also such a beautifully worked thing. Consider the sheer labor involved. Every line had to be carefully cut into the metal, in reverse, demanding immense skill and patience. The result is a rich tapestry of textures, from the crisp letters to the charming vignettes representing each letter of the alphabet. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the print offers insights into Dutch society. It’s a product of a burgeoning print culture, where education was becoming more accessible, and where the visual and verbal were increasingly intertwined. You can also see the values of hard work and industry reflected in the central image of the beehive, which is the center of the print. In its own way, this print democratizes learning, putting it within reach of a wider public.