Achterzijde van het hoofd van een uitknippop 1825 - 1875

This paper doll fragment, of unknown date and origin, is deceptively simple. It involves a confluence of processes: design, printing, and the handcraft of cutting. Notice the printed image, likely produced through industrial means, presenting a classical profile with meticulous detail. The thinness of the paper speaks to mass production, yet the act of cutting transforms it into something unique. It’s a miniature act of tailoring, where the scissors become tools of individual expression. The grey lining and tape are later additions, evidence of handling, preservation, perhaps even affection. This little artifact bridges the gap between industry and the domestic sphere. Consider the labor involved, from the draughtsman who designed the original image, to the factory workers who printed it, to the individual who carefully cut it out, and eventually stuck it. In its modest way, this paper doll head is a reminder that even the simplest objects have complex stories embedded in their making. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the many hands that shape our world.