Terugkeer van de wandelende jood 1840 - 1868

This lithograph, by an artist named Gangel who lived from 1756 to 1836, presents a series of vignettes depicting the Wandering Jew. The lithographic process involves drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating it so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. Here, the material—likely a fine-grained limestone—allows for intricate linework, essential for satire. The process lends itself to mass production, which democratizes art, but also reflects the rise of print culture and consumerism. Each scene offers a commentary on society. The artist's choices in this medium reflect a deliberate engagement with broader cultural shifts in production and consumption. Understanding this lithograph means appreciating its role in a rapidly changing world, where art increasingly engaged with social issues.