Broadside with 48 scenes depicting the story of Little Robinson

Art Historical Context

This captivating broadside, created by Antonio Bosch around 1860–70, presents the tale of Little Robinson across 48 sequential scenes on a single sheet. Measuring just over 17 by 12 inches, the work was produced as a lithographic reproduction of an etching, a technique that allowed intricate narrative details to be reproduced affordably for wider audiences during the nineteenth century. In an era when printed ephemera served as popular entertainment and moral instruction, such broadsides brought serialized stories into homes and public spaces. Bosch’s composition guides viewers through dramatic episodes featuring men and women in lively, expressive vignettes, blending storytelling with visual rhythm typical of the period’s popular prints. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Max G. Wildnauer Fund in 1978, this sheet exemplifies how printmaking democratized access to literature and art, preserving narrative traditions that once circulated far beyond museum walls.