De vliegende jicht van Toon 1894 - 1959

This comic strip, "De vliegende jicht van Toon," was created by the Monogrammist G.J., using color lithography. This process allows for the mass production of images, a notable shift from traditional art materials and processes. The artwork's appearance is influenced by its mode of production. Lithography allows for distinct lines and vibrant colors, enabling the artist to narrate a complex story through individual panels. Each panel is printed identically, pointing to industrial modes of production. This contrasts with the unique, handmade quality of traditional fine art. The techniques used here suggest the artist was not only a storyteller, but also a skilled craftsman. He was able to utilize a process of mass production to spread and display the story, and perhaps critique the social issues of labor and class, implicit in the story. Considering the materials, making, and context of this comic strip expands our understanding of its full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.