Driekoningenfeest 1827 - 1894

This print, "Driekoningenfeest," was made by M. Hemeleers-van Houter, using etching and possibly some engraving to depict the celebration of the Epiphany. Look closely, and you'll see how the etched lines define the forms, from the children playing to the architecture in the background. The artist then added color, likely by hand, to bring the scene to life. It’s interesting to consider this print in terms of reproduction. Prints like this were produced using relatively inexpensive methods, making images available to a wide audience. This print captures a specific cultural moment. The image then becomes a commodity, participating in a much larger system of production and consumption. Consider the labor involved in creating this print, from the artist who designed the image to the printmakers who reproduced it. It is a collaborative process, and one deeply embedded in the social and economic context of its time. By considering the materials, the making, and the context of this artwork, we gain a richer understanding of its meaning and significance.