Vogels c. 1843

Ernst Fröhlich made this print, Vogels, sometime in the 19th century. It is made from paper and ink, common materials that enabled the wide circulation of images in a newly industrialized society. This print is a lithograph, a process involving drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then using ink to transfer the image onto paper. This technique allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction, making images like these accessible to a broad audience. Look closely, and you will see how the printed medium informs the artwork's appearance; the texture of the paper, the slight blurring of the ink, and the flat planes of color. Each of the birds is carefully rendered with scientific precision. Prints such as these reflect changing social values and labor practices in the 19th century, documenting scientific advancements and increasing access to knowledge through mass production. "Vogels" shows how materials and making processes are tied to wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The image embodies these social and cultural forces, challenging the conventional separation between art and craft.