Fotoreproductie van een tekening, voorstellende een zingende engel met een luit tussen kinderen c. 1875 - 1885

This photomechanical print reproduces a drawing of an angel serenading a group of children with a lute. The cultural references here are fascinating; angels frequently appear in art history as messengers of God, especially during the Renaissance. The presence of children is also significant, calling to mind the vulnerability and innocence that is so often associated with the theme of childhood, especially within a religious context. Now, consider the setting: why is this image encased within the pages of a book? This encourages us to reflect on the means through which art is consumed and understood, and the way that the presentation and circulation of an artwork shapes its meaning and reception. As historians, we might consider how the popularization of reproductive technologies influenced the way that audiences experienced and understood art. By researching the archives of institutions such as museums and libraries, we can further understand the journey of this artwork through time, and the shifting social contexts that have shaped its interpretation.