Circusartiesten achter de schermen c. 1865 - 1866

Johannes Henderikus Morriën made this print, Circus Performers Behind the Scenes, using a technique called lithography. The process involves drawing an image with a greasy crayon onto a flat stone or metal plate, then treating it with chemicals so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This printmaking method allowed for relatively quick reproduction, and contributed to the rise of mass media in the 19th century. Here, the lithographic technique renders a scene teeming with the textures of labor. Look closely at the costumes. Each fabric suggests the hands that spun the thread, wove the cloth, cut the pattern, and sewed the seams. The faces, etched in ink, tell stories of fatigue and dedication, offering a glimpse behind the spectacle. Morriën’s choice of lithography underscores the democratizing power of printmaking, bringing images of labor and leisure to a wider audience, and challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and the everyday.