Circustafereel 1814 - 1839

This print, made by Pieter Roosing sometime before 1839, depicts a circus scene. It’s made using etching, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The material qualities here are crucial. The sharp, precise lines possible with etching allowed Roosing to capture the dynamic poses of the performers and the details of their costumes, emphasizing the skill involved. The medium itself speaks to labor: the etcher's careful work mirrors the dedication of the circus performers. In its time, a print like this was a relatively accessible item, a piece of commercial ephemera that circulated widely. It democratized the image of the circus, bringing a spectacle typically reserved for urban centers to a broader audience. So, while seemingly simple, this print opens a window onto the economics of entertainment and image-making in the 19th century, challenging any rigid boundary between art and everyday life.