Neemt, kleinen, neemt vrolijk, beziet deze prent, / Zij maakt u met Kloris en Roosje bekend, / En hoe zij hun bruiloft gaan vieren met vreugd, / Want blijdschap is immers zoo eigen aan jeugd 1822 - 1870

This print was made by C.C.L. van Staden, although the specific date is unknown. It's a copper engraving, a process by which an image is incised into a copper plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. The act of engraving itself is labour-intensive. A burin, a specialized cutting tool, would have been pushed through the metal by hand to create clean, precise lines. The depth and density of these lines determine the tones and textures we see in the final print. Look closely, and you'll notice a remarkable level of detail. This wasn’t just a mechanical process. The social context of the image is a wedding celebration, depicted in twelve scenes accompanied by text. It speaks to a culture that valued craftsmanship, as well as communal events and festivities. The print would have been part of that social fabric, circulated and enjoyed among friends and family. So, in considering this artwork, remember that the material and the making are integral to its cultural significance.