Faure's eerste nacht in Rusland Possibly 1897 - 1898

This drawing, "Faure's First Night in Russia", was made by Willem van Konijnenburg. It's a reproduction, printed "by L.H. Sament & Co." for the magazine "De Kroniek," which suggests it's meant for wide circulation. Consider how the drawing is made: with the quick, reproductive methods of industrial printmaking. Look at the linework, which varies greatly to produce different effects, and the figures, which look almost like caricatures. The artist has given the work a sense of depth, and the texture is remarkable, considering it's all done with line. Even the flowers at the base of the bed have depth, which speaks to Van Konijnenburg’s skill as a draughtsman. But it is the mode of production, its ready availability, which give this image its impact. It’s this combination that creates a powerful, accessible image, one that speaks volumes about the political climate of the day.