Optocht te Haarlem, 1872 (plaat 4) 1872

This print of a parade in Haarlem was made in 1872 by Emrik & Binger using chromolithography. This color printing technique, popular in the late 19th century, allowed for the mass production of detailed images. The process involved creating a separate lithographic stone for each color, and then carefully layering them to achieve a vibrant, almost painterly effect. In this print, the texture and weight of the paper support the intricate rendering of the figures and horses. The labor-intensive nature of chromolithography, requiring skilled artisans to prepare the stones and operate the presses, speaks to the changing landscape of art production during the Industrial Revolution. While chromolithography democratized image-making, it also created new forms of labor and consumption, shaping how people experienced art and visual culture. By understanding the materials and making of this parade, we can appreciate its significance within broader histories of creative practices.