Søndagmorgen 1880s

Adolph Kittendorff made this print, "Søndagmorgen," which translates to "Sunday Morning," in the mid-19th century using a technique called steel engraving. Steel engraving was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process, where the image is incised into a steel plate, allowing for detailed lines and tonal variations. The method was prized for its ability to produce a large number of uniform prints. The choice of steel engraving is significant. In this period, it was often employed for commercial reproductions, spreading images widely through society. Looking closely, you see the engraver has captured not just the scene of domestic life, but also the textures of the wood, the fabric of the dresses, and the soft fur of the dog. The medium itself speaks to a moment of transition, where handmade skills were being harnessed to meet an expanding market for images, pointing to larger issues of labor, class, and consumption. "Søndagmorgen" prompts us to appreciate the blend of craft and commerce, and to see how the means of production are essential to understanding its cultural value.