Omslag voor: Uit het huishouden - Carel Christiaan Antony Last

A mid-nineteenth-century Dutch lithographic book cover depicting a domestic family scene, designed by Carel Christiaan Antony Last.

This lithographic cover design by the Dutch artist Carel Christiaan Antony Last serves as the frontispiece for the publication, Uit het huishouden. Potloodschetsjes in verloren oogenblikken door een man van ondervinding. The work captures a domestic scene, depicting a central male figure surrounded by his family as they gather around an open book. The composition is framed by an ornamental border, typical of mid-nineteenth-century Dutch publishing aesthetics.

Last, a draughtsman and lithographer, was active in the Netherlands during a period when illustrated literature for the home became increasingly popular. His style here is characterised by clear, expressive line work that defines the figures and their interactions. The central group is rendered with a focus on the warmth of the family unit, a common theme in the literature of the era. The text, integrated into the design, identifies the work as a collection of sketches created during spare moments, suggesting a casual, observational approach to the subject matter.

Technically, the print demonstrates the capabilities of mid-century lithography, allowing for the reproduction of fine, pencil-like strokes on a printed page. The yellow paper stock provides a warm, aged background that complements the black ink. The inclusion of the publisher's details, A.C. Kruseman of Haarlem, and the printer, P. Blommers of The Hague, situates this piece firmly within the commercial printing industry of the Netherlands in the 1850s. This print offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the Dutch bourgeoisie, where domestic life was frequently documented and celebrated through accessible, mass-produced printed media.