De wonderdokter Fop c. 1843 - 1920

This print, titled "De wonderdokter Fop," was created by M. Heil. It's a lithograph, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century. Lithography involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This allows for relatively quick reproduction of detailed images, like the scenes of quackery and foolishness we see here. The very nature of lithography – its capacity for mass production – is relevant to the subject. It suggests a world where images, like the false promises of "wonder doctors," could be easily circulated and consumed. The print medium itself becomes a reflection of the broader social context. Paying attention to the materials and methods by which artworks are made can reveal a great deal about their cultural meaning. It challenges the traditional hierarchy separating high art from more accessible forms of visual culture.