Het kaartenhuis / Bouwprent 1875 - 1903

This print, made by Jan de Haan, shows a family crafting a model house out of paper. It's a lithograph, a printmaking technique that democratized image production in the 19th century. The choice of lithography speaks volumes. It allowed for mass production, bringing images like this to a wider audience. The scene depicts a father and children focused on a precise, manual task, a counterpoint to the industrial world outside. The paper itself is key. It's an affordable, readily available material, transformed into a miniature home through careful cutting and assembly. This act of making is presented as a form of social bonding, a family activity that fosters creativity and patience. But don't miss that this is also labor, skillfully applied to a humble material, reflecting the values of thrift and ingenuity. Ultimately, this print is a testament to the transformative power of craft. De Haan elevates a simple paper model to a symbol of domesticity and shared experience, reminding us of the value of making in a world increasingly dominated by mass-produced goods.