Twee kinderen in een boekhandel 1868

This small print, titled "Two Children in a Bookshop," was made by an anonymous artist using engraving with added watercolor. Looking closely, you can see how the engraved lines create the structure of the image, defining forms like the books on the shelves and the folds in the children's clothing. Engraving is an intensive process, demanding real skill. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers. The application of watercolor added further detail and richness to the final print. Prints like this were often made in multiples, sold to a wide audience. They reflect the rise of consumer culture. By focusing on these production methods and the social context in which this print was made and consumed, we can gain a deeper understanding of its significance.