Reproductie van een prent van twee bladmotieven door Israhel van Meckenem before 1872

This is a reproduction of a print of two leaf patterns, created by Simonau & Toovey. Its delicate lines were likely achieved through a meticulous printing process, perhaps involving etching or engraving on a metal plate, highlighting the hand skills involved. The original print it imitates comes from Israhel van Meckenem, a 15th-century German printmaker who worked during the emergence of printmaking as a crucial technology of mass production. The reproductive processes used by Simonau & Toovey is interesting, because they are using modern printing methods to reproduce an earlier print, raising questions about authenticity and value. The creation of multiple identical images speaks to broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. These prints facilitated the wider circulation of decorative motifs, influencing design and taste across society. Understanding the labor involved and the context in which the prints were made allows us to appreciate the democratization of design.