De Engelsche wedrennen en jockey's 1838 - 1892

This print, ‘The English Races and Jockeys,’ was made by Hermann van der Moolen, likely in the mid-19th century. It’s a lithograph, a printing process that relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. The image was drawn on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, then treated with acid. Ink sticks to the drawn areas, allowing multiple impressions to be made. Lithography was a relatively new technology at the time, enabling mass production of images like this. You can see the fine lines and subtle tonal variations achieved through this process. The subject matter, English horseracing, speaks to the era’s fascination with speed, competition, and leisure. The print’s serial nature and the relatively low cost reflects the rise of consumer culture and the expanding market for accessible imagery. So, while seemingly a simple depiction of sport, the print reveals a complex interplay of technology, social values, and economic forces.