Kijkkast 1819 - 1842

This handbill, printed anonymously, probably dates to the 18th century. Made with simple woodcut printing on paper, it’s an advertisement for a peepshow. The image shows a man standing next to a box, inviting the viewer to look inside. What makes this modest print interesting is how directly it addresses issues of labor and spectacle. The text promises a public viewing, inviting passersby to "observe well." This speaks to the way that everyday life was becoming commercialized in the 1700s, with entertainment and curiosity packaged for consumption. The roughness of the woodcut adds to this impression; it’s a cheap and accessible medium, perfectly suited to mass distribution. The image suggests a world where even visual pleasure is a commodity, offered by an itinerant vendor. This challenges any romantic notions of art, reminding us that creativity is always embedded in the economic realities of its time.