Spotprent op de Amsterdamse politie before 1887

Editor: Here we have "Spotprent op de Amsterdamse politie," a piece that existed before 1887, created by Willem Steelink. It's…well, it's quite a collection of characters and scenarios all on one page. It feels like a social commentary of sorts. What's your read on this? Curator: Well, from a materialist perspective, let’s look at what the artist is presenting. We see figures of authority and incidents involving law enforcement, all rendered through the readily available medium of print. It's about disseminating a message widely. Editor: So the very act of creating a print… how does that factor in? Curator: It makes the work accessible. Unlike a unique painting locked away in a wealthy patron's home, this print could be reproduced, distributed, and consumed by a much broader segment of society. Who is the intended audience here, do you think? What message is reaching those consumers? Editor: I guess, a critical one. Seeing these scenes laid out, with a chaotic horse chase juxtaposed with static portraits, you get a sense of…disconnect. Curator: Precisely. And consider the economic forces at play. The artist relies on a printmaker, the printmaker on suppliers of paper and ink, the distributors need a market. Each element contributing to this…critique? And where was it distributed and sold, I wonder? Was there a targeted message? Editor: Good question. It certainly makes me think about how the method of production impacts the message. Curator: Exactly. And the intended reception. The materiality is deeply interwoven with the socio-political implications of this work. What a perfect vehicle to question power structures! Editor: This print opens up an avenue for discussing materials as instruments of both production and resistance, it gives it a more political punch, thanks!