Hanen 1845

Editor: So, this is "Hanen," a lithograph from 1845 by Adolph Kittendorff. It looks like a simple drawing of chickens. What do you see in this piece, especially considering its materials? Curator: I find it interesting that Kittendorff chose lithography, traditionally used for mass production, to depict such a seemingly ordinary, rustic scene. Lithography enabled the circulation of this image, and we might ask: who was consuming it, and why? Was it a commentary on rural life, a nostalgic look at agricultural production for an increasingly urban audience? Editor: That’s an interesting point. I hadn’t considered the implications of the print medium itself. Does the landscape style also contribute to the commentary on rural life? Curator: Precisely. The 'landscape' here isn't grand or sublime; it's a barnyard scene. What kind of labor does this imply? Think about the unseen labor required to create both the image—from sketching to printing—and the agricultural labor it depicts, or perhaps romanticizes. The very accessibility of this print makes one ponder about its place within 19th century consumer culture and social stratification. Editor: So it's less about the chickens themselves, and more about the broader system of production and consumption they represent? Curator: Yes. The humble subject matter, replicated and circulated through the mechanics of lithography, opens a dialogue on class, labor, and the changing relationship between urban and rural life. By focusing on the means of its making, the artwork unveils a rich, layered narrative. Editor: This really changes my perspective. I was just looking at a drawing of chickens! Curator: Exactly! Shifting our gaze to the artwork's materiality gives voice to silent laborers, to those involved in the process, be they in the field or printshop. Editor: Thanks, I’ll definitely be considering the 'how' as well as the 'what' in the future!