De steendrukker 1868 - 1892

Anthon Gerhard Alexander van Rappard made this work, "De steendrukker", using graphite. Van Rappard, a Dutch artist born into an aristocratic family, chose to depict the life of a working-class tradesman. The artist here invites us into the world of a lithographer, a printer, deeply engrossed in his labor. In the late 19th century, lithography democratized access to images, making art and information more widely available. Consider the social implications of this shift – who had access to art, and how did this change affect class structures? Van Rappard's choice of subject matter reflects a growing interest in representing everyday life and the dignity of labor, moving away from traditional, idealized subjects. The intimate, almost claustrophobic setting evokes the lived experience of the working class. Van Rappard asks us to consider the human element behind the printing press.