Nederlandsche schutterij, / te paard en te voet 1831 - 1854

This print of the Dutch civic guard, on horseback and on foot, was created by Erve H. Rynders. It's a lithograph, a printmaking technique that relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. The image’s fine lines and subtle gradations of tone are achieved by drawing with a greasy crayon on a smooth stone, which is then treated with acid. The stone is then dampened, and oily ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This process, relatively quick and inexpensive, allowed for mass production of images. Consider the socio-political implications: Lithography democratized image-making, making it accessible to a wider audience. This print, depicting members of the civic guard, speaks to a rising sense of national identity and civic duty. The work involved in printing these en masse reflects the growing industrialization and availability of printed materials. Looking at this work, we are reminded that materials, making, and context are crucial for understanding the full meaning of an artwork.