Oom Tom in gesprek met Eva 1850 - 1856

This print, "Oom Tom in gesprek met Eva," was made by Charles Rochussen, though the date is unknown. The medium of lithography, used to create this image, involves a fascinating interplay of materials. The process begins with a smooth stone, typically limestone, on which the artist draws an image using a greasy crayon or ink. The stone is then treated with a chemical solution that makes the drawn areas receptive to oil-based inks and the undrawn areas receptive to water. To make a print, the stone is dampened with water, and then inked. The ink adheres only to the greasy image, repelling the water. Paper is then pressed against the stone to transfer the inked image. Lithography enabled the relatively quick reproduction of images, making art more accessible. In this image, we see a scene from "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a powerful anti-slavery novel. The print's very existence, made possible by industrial methods, speaks to the book's wide reach. The print brings the story of slavery to a broader audience, and in doing so, challenges traditional distinctions between art, social commentary, and activism.