Tafereelen uit de regeering der koningen van Juda 1850 - 1881

Dirk Noothoven van Goor created this print, titled 'Tafereelen uit de regeering der koningen van Juda', using techniques of etching or engraving. The image consists of a series of vignettes, likely intended for a young audience. Consider the material: ink on paper. This was an age of mass production, and printing made images and information accessible to a wider public. The detailed scenes within the print, depicting biblical stories, involved skilled labor. The artist would have needed technical expertise to translate complex scenes into linear form. The very act of reproduction speaks to the democratization of knowledge, yet it also points to the commercial aspects of artmaking. Prints like these were produced in multiples, intended for sale and widespread distribution, and were tied to broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The importance of materials, making, and context helps us to understand the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.