Vrede getekend op het bed van Willem de Goede 1842

This lithograph, "Vrede getekend op het bed van Willem de Goede," was made by Herman Frederik Carel ten Kate. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the contrast between greasy and water-receptive areas on a flat stone or metal plate. The artist draws on the surface with a greasy crayon or ink, then the stone is treated so that the image accepts ink and the blank areas repel it. This allows the image to be transferred to paper. In this image, the crisp lines and subtle tonal variations highlight the skill involved in controlling the lithographic process. The print is imbued with a sense of historical gravitas, emphasized by the careful rendering of details. The artist masterfully uses the lithographic technique to evoke the textures of clothing, the solemnity of the figures, and the weight of the historical moment. Through the lens of its making, we can see how the medium of lithography helped shape our understanding of history and art. It underscores the integral role of materials, process, and social context in shaping the meaning of an artwork.