Illustraties bij het verhaal 'Lotgevallen en Ontmoetingen van David Harthals', in de Leidse studentenalmanak, 1859 1859

This is an illustration from the Leidse studentenalmanak of 1859, depicting scenes from the story 'Lotgevallen en Ontmoetingen van David Harthals', and was made anonymously. The printmaking process, likely etching or engraving, is fundamental to understanding its cultural significance. The fine lines and detailed rendering of the figures, from the raucous party scene above to the clandestine encounter on the stairs below, speak to the engraver's skill. This was a labor-intensive process. The image would have been incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper using a press. The quality of the print depended greatly on the artisan's ability to translate the original drawing into the distinct visual language of the medium. The choice of printmaking for this student publication speaks to the democratization of images in the 19th century, and the importance of illustration in spreading ideas and telling stories. The detailed process involved underscores the value placed on craftsmanship even within a context of mass production. Recognizing the labor and skill embedded in its creation allows us to fully appreciate its role within the wider cultural landscape.