Gekostumeerde optocht van 1841: ridders (blad IX) 1841

This print, made in 1841 by an anonymous artist, depicts a costumed procession of knights. It's made with lithography, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century, allowing for the relatively quick and cheap reproduction of designs. The lithographic process involves drawing with a grease crayon on a stone or metal plate, then treating it with chemicals so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. It's a process that sits between drawing and printmaking, mimicking the qualities of a sketch. Here, we see delicate lines and washes of color, giving a sense of the textures and materials of the costumes – the heavy drape of the fabric, the gleam of metal. Consider the social context: these costumes, referencing a medieval past, speak to a romanticized view of history. But the lithographic process itself looks forward, to a modern age of mass production and consumption. It blurs the line between unique artwork and reproducible commodity, challenging our notions of value and artistry.