Deez' kinderprint leert, kort en goed, / Wat nut de werktuigkunde doet. / Hoe zy der menschen werk verligt, / En onbegryplyk veel verricht 1810

This 1810 print by Willem van Bergen was made using etching and engraving, techniques that transform metal plates into printing surfaces. The fine lines of the illustrations and text demonstrate the engraver's mastery, a craft demanding years of apprenticeship. The imagery reveals the social context of the print. We see laborers using simple machines - levers, pulleys, and gears - to ease their tasks. Notice how each scene emphasizes human power, even as it's augmented by technology. This speaks to a period of transition, where manual labor was still central, yet the potential of mechanization was becoming apparent. The print's didactic tone, meant to educate children, underscores the value placed on both knowledge and industriousness. Ultimately, this print prompts us to consider the labor involved not only in the scenes it depicts but also in its creation. Appreciating the skills and processes behind its production deepens our understanding of its historical and cultural significance.