Rook 

This print of a rook, by an anonymous artist, was made using a process that blends art and industry. The image is most likely a lithograph, a technique that emerged in the late 18th century. It involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This allowed for relatively quick, accurate reproductions. The rook itself is depicted with careful detail. Look at the individual feathers, each rendered with subtle gradations of tone. This demonstrates the artist’s skill. But the lithographic process itself is just as crucial to the image's meaning. It allowed for the wide dissemination of images, contributing to the growth of scientific knowledge and visual culture. Ultimately, understanding the means of production at work here invites us to consider the social context in which it was made. This invites us to think about how art and industry intersected during this time.