Kalender voor het jaar 1884 met gezicht op de Korenbeurs in Amsterdam 1884

This is a calendar for the year 1884, printed anonymously in Amsterdam. You can see it was made with some kind of industrial printing technique. The print's surface is smooth, suggesting a steam-powered printing press and the use of engraved plates. The imagery combines crisp typography with decorative neoclassical motifs, alluding to the architecture of the Beurs itself. Steam printing allowed for the mass production of calendars like this. The calendar’s design, with its classical architectural motifs, evokes the solid economic and social structure that made the Beurs and its surrounding area so important. It shows how advancements in technology were changing the visual landscape, connecting art, commerce, and everyday life, and allowing businesses to disseminate and distribute more than ever before. The calendar highlights how materials and making processes not only shape our visual experiences but also reflect broader social and economic contexts. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, urging us to consider the cultural significance embedded in everyday objects.