Reproductie van vier prenten uit La Practique des Causes criminelles van Josse de Damhoudere, afgebeeld verschillende criminele activiteiten before 1880

This reproduction of four prints from Josse de Damhoudere's book, *La Practique des Causes criminelles*, was made in the Netherlands, during the 17th century. Each print shows a different criminal activity, depicted with the stark clarity of a woodcut. The book itself, first published in 1555, served as a manual for criminal law, reflecting the social order of the time. The images were produced using a relief printing process, where the design is carved into a block of wood, and then inked and pressed onto paper. The dense, dark lines create strong contrasts, conveying both information and a sense of drama. The very act of reproducing these images centuries later speaks to the enduring fascination with crime and punishment. It underscores the power of print to disseminate ideas, shape public opinion, and reflect the often-troubled relationship between law, labor and society. It reminds us that the study of crime is not just about individual acts, but about the structures of power and the making of meaning.