Geschiedenis van Robinson Crusoé / histoire de Robinson Crusoé 1833 - 1900

This sheet, illustrating the story of Robinson Crusoe, was made with printing techniques. In it, the paper support has been printed with multiple scenes, rendered in light and bright colours. The prints, most likely wood engravings, are a relatively efficient mode of production. In this case, the printing allowed for an even wider distribution of Daniel Defoe’s popular story. The texture of the paper also plays an important role: it has a soft, absorbent quality, which allows the ink to sit well on the surface and create clear images. The linear quality of the illustrations is clean and economical. The use of separate blocks for each color indicates a degree of division of labor – which is something of a contrast to the individualism celebrated in Defoe’s original story. The combination of industrial production and narrative content makes us consider how the story of Robinson Crusoe itself is linked to issues of labor, politics, and consumption. By paying attention to the materials, processes, and social context in which this print was made, we gain a richer understanding of its full meaning, one that challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.