De vrek, die zijn schat verloren heeft 1876 - 1890

This illustration, "De vrek, die zijn schat verloren heeft", was created by Hermann Vogel. While the exact date is unknown, we can contextualize this work within the broader history of printmaking. Prints like this one would have been produced using techniques such as wood engraving or lithography, processes that democratized image production. In this case, the artist created a multi-colored image, which means using multiple printing blocks. Consider the labor involved in this kind of print production: from the artists who create the image, to the skilled artisans who carve the blocks, and finally the printers operating the machines. Each individual print, each impression, would have required significant effort. The story depicted in this artwork resonates with broader societal issues of wealth and poverty. By considering the context, materials and making of this artwork, we can explore how cultural values and societal concerns are expressed and circulated through accessible media.