Spookhistoriën, medegedeeld door meester Penneschacht aan zijne kostleerlingen 1850 - 1881

This print, “Spookhistoriën, medegedeeld door meester Penneschacht aan zijne kostleerlingen” or “Ghost stories, told by master Penneschacht to his boarders,” was produced by Dirk Noothoven van Goor. As a mass-produced print, likely made with lithography or a similar technique, the work’s appearance is influenced by the demands of the printing process. This suggests the artist was deeply engaged with the social context of his time, using industrial methods to reach a wide audience. The use of printmaking techniques to create the image speaks to the democratization of art and storytelling through industrial production. The image is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, showing the amount of work involved in the production process. In considering van Goor’s print, it becomes clear that materials, making, and context are vital in understanding the full meaning of this artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.