Geschiedenis van cartouche / Histoire de cartouche 1833 - 1911

This illustrated print, titled "Geschiedenis van Cartouche / Histoire de Cartouche," was created by Brepols & Dierckx Zoon. It’s a mass-produced image, likely printed using techniques like wood engraving or lithography, enabling widespread distribution. The material here—ink on paper—is crucial. The print’s accessibility speaks to a burgeoning consumer culture, where images and narratives could be disseminated widely. It tells a story through sequential scenes, almost like a comic strip, reflecting a culture of storytelling that’s becoming increasingly available to a broader audience. The very act of printing, reproducing images en masse, is tied to wider social issues. It represents a shift from unique, handcrafted artworks to mechanically reproduced ones, impacting labor and consumption. The print's narrative, accessible format, and mass production reflect the changing landscape of art and culture in the industrial era. By focusing on the materials, making, and context of this print, we gain insight into the social and cultural forces shaping its creation and reception.