Ontleend uit de fabelleer 1850

This print, titled "Ontleend uit de fabelleer" was created by Jan Schuitemaker using engraving techniques. Look closely, and you’ll notice the intricate lines that form the images and text. These lines weren’t drawn directly; they were incised into a metal plate, likely copper. This process, requiring immense skill, was common for mass-producing images before photography. The plate would have been inked, and then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Consider the labor involved in creating the original plate, multiplied by the hundreds or thousands of prints that could be made from it. This print is part of a larger "Prenten-Magazijn voor de Jeugd" series, suggesting a deliberate effort to educate and entertain young audiences. The choice of printmaking speaks volumes about the intention: to disseminate ideas widely, making knowledge accessible beyond the elite. It challenges our traditional notion that fine art is only painting or sculpture. Here, the means of production are integral to its purpose, blurring the boundaries between art, education, and commerce.