De provincie Drenthe. 83.000 inwoners 1850 - 1881

This is a page from a children's magazine, printed by D. Noothoven van Goor in Leyden. The technique used is likely wood engraving, a form of relief printmaking that was at its peak in the 19th century. The image shows an overview of the Dutch province Drenthe and its population of 83,000, juxtaposed with images of a children's home, the Hunebedden burial stones of Borger, and a farmhouse interior. Wood engraving involved painstakingly carving a design into the end-grain of a block of wood, which was then inked and pressed onto paper. This allowed for detailed illustrations to be reproduced quickly and cheaply, making them accessible to a wide audience. The choice of this industrial printing method is significant. It speaks to the social context of mass production and the spread of knowledge through printed media. The magazine itself represents a commodity, produced and consumed within a growing market for educational materials. Ultimately, this seemingly simple page reveals the intricate relationship between art, technology, and society in the 19th century.