De man met de bontemuts. / Vierde vervolg 1832 - 1850

This hand-colored etching, "The Man with the Fur Cap, fourth sequel," was made by Hermanus Numan in the late 18th century. It employs printmaking, a process central to the rise of mass media and, therefore, to modern social life. Consider the labor involved: the skilled engraver, the press operator, and those responsible for hand-tinting each sheet. The relatively low cost of prints like these meant that stories, images, and political ideas could reach a broad audience, not just the wealthy. Here, Numan uses the print medium to tell a cautionary tale. While seemingly distinct from fine art, this kind of print shares with it a foundation in drawing, composition, and the communication of ideas. By understanding its original context – a world of burgeoning print culture – we can appreciate its role in shaping public opinion and taste, blurring the lines between art, craft, and social commentary.