Straatmuzikanten met apen 1825 - 1882

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet created this lithograph, "Street Musicians with Monkeys," using the printing process of lithography. This was a relatively new commercial process at the time, dating back to the late 18th century. The grainy texture characteristic of lithography is evident in the print, a direct result of the artist drawing on a stone with a greasy crayon, then transferring the image to paper using oil-based ink. The lithographic process was revolutionary, making images reproducible and affordable, influencing popular culture and the art market. Consider how the image shows a band of itinerant entertainers, scraping a living from the streets. The artist captures a moment in time, but the material and means of production speaks to broader issues of labor, class, and the commercialization of art in the 19th century. The scene depicted is only possible because of the same social conditions and material innovations. When we appreciate how this print was made, we realize that Cornet was not just an artist, but also a part of a larger industrial and social ecosystem.