Spotprent in Utrechtse studentenalmanak, 1842 1842

This satirical print appeared in an Utrecht student almanac in 1842, and was made with ink on paper. It’s an example of a low-cost image, quickly produced via printing, intended for a specific audience and a bit of ephemeral fun. The lines are clear and efficient, without much shading, a reflection of the printing process used. The image is one of three, each showing a vignette of student life. From the horse rider to the running figure to the scholar at his desk, these scenes offer a glimpse into the world of higher education at the time. The materiality here is all about the efficient transfer of image – a form of industrialized image-making. In its own way, this little print is as much a product of its time as a finely carved sculpture. It is a reminder that the means of production – and the social context that surrounds them – are critical to understanding the full meaning of any artwork.