Honden en apenspel 1865 - 1875

This lithograph, "Honden en apenspel," was produced by George Lodewijk Funke in Amsterdam, printed by Emrik and Binger. Lithography, unlike traditional printmaking, relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. The artist draws on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applies ink, which adheres only to the drawn areas. The resulting print, with its fine lines and tonal variations, captures the satirical scenes of dogs and monkeys mimicking human society. The material and process are key here; lithography, a relatively new technology at the time, allowed for mass production of images. Funke's choice of this medium suggests a desire to reach a wider audience. The crisp lines also contribute to the humorous effect, highlighting the absurdity of the animals' imitations. We can consider the piece in terms of labor too – the work involved in producing multiple prints for popular consumption. The images critique social hierarchies through playful animal parody.