Jan Janszoon Starter aan zijn schrijftafel before 1864

Pieter Wilhelmus van de Weijer made this print of Jan Janszoon Starter in the 19th Century, using lithography, a printmaking technique that relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. The process begins with a smooth stone or metal plate. The artist draws on the surface with a greasy crayon, then treats it with a chemical etch. When the surface is wet, the water adheres to the bare areas, while the greasy ink is repelled. Ink sticks only to the drawing when applied, allowing the image to be transferred to paper. This process enables the creation of relatively inexpensive reproductions, which democratized image consumption in the 19th century. The print captures Starter, a writer, at his desk, complete with books, a lute, and writing implements. The medium is particularly well-suited to the detailed rendering of these elements, from the sheen on the lute’s surface to the texture of the paper. Lithography allowed artists to reach a wider audience and facilitated the mass dissemination of images, influencing public opinion and shaping cultural values. By choosing lithography, van de Weijer engaged with a technique deeply enmeshed in the social and economic changes of his time.