De Koningin van Candy 1822 - 1845

This engraving of ‘The Queen of Candy’ was rendered by an anonymous artist, sometime in the 19th century. It’s a print, which means that this image could be reproduced many times over. The production of prints involves multiple steps: first an image must be etched or engraved on a plate, and then ink is pressed onto paper to make the impression. The technique used in this print is delicate, with finely rendered lines to communicate the Queen’s likeness. This painstaking process required significant time and labor, and it is difficult to know how many impressions were made from this plate. Considered as a multiple, this print belongs to the world of commodity production, which expanded rapidly during the 19th century. While the Queen of Candy may have been a person of great prestige, this image of her was circulated as a consumer good, within a growing global market. The print makes us question the status of the artwork, asking whether it belongs to the world of fine art or craft, or perhaps, to both.