Als gy o lieve jeugd uw lessen hebt geleerd, / Dan zy deez' prent het loon, waarmee gy wordt vereerd 1836 - 1849

This print by D. Lijsen is a lithograph, a process that democratized image-making in the nineteenth century. Lithography allowed for the relatively inexpensive reproduction of images, using a flat stone or metal plate treated to repel ink in non-image areas and retain ink in image areas. Look closely, and you can see a slight grain to the surface. This would have been created by the artist or a skilled printmaker, who transferred the image onto the stone using a greasy crayon or ink. It’s a direct process, but also allows for subtle tonal gradations, something that would have been impossible with earlier printmaking methods like engraving. The scenes shown here are educational tools. The title suggests that this print is a reward for children who have learned their lessons, reflecting the rise of mass education and the standardization of knowledge in the modern era. The lithographic process made images like this accessible to a wider audience, reflecting the rise of mass production and consumption. It’s a small object, but in its making and distribution, this print embodies a world in transformation.