In de speeluren 1875 - 1903

This print titled ‘In de Speeluren’ was made by Jan de Haan using lithography. It’s one of a series of children's prints. Looking closely, we can see the distinct visual character of lithography. The texture is smooth, almost like a very fine grain. This printmaking process involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applying ink to the treated surface. The ink adheres only to the drawn areas, which are then transferred to paper. It’s important to remember that lithography, though technically complex, allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction. This print would have been made for mass consumption, and in the composition, we see scenes of children’s play. The material and the imagery intersect in a way that reflects the culture of the time. We might consider how childhood itself was, in a sense, manufactured, through processes of education and socialization, much like the print itself. By paying attention to the materiality and methods of production, we gain a richer understanding of the print’s role in shaping social values.