Wat de kinderen gaarne eten en de dieren gaarne vreten c. 1843 - 1920

Ludwig Gustav Voltz created this print titled "Wat de kinderen gaarne eten en de dieren gaarne vreten," or "What children like to eat and animals like to devour" during a period of significant social change. It was a time when traditional rural life was being idealized, even as industrialization began to transform society. The print reflects a hierarchical view of the world, with humans, particularly children, at the center, surrounded by animals that serve their needs. The scenes of children feeding or interacting with animals evoke a sense of pastoral innocence, yet they also subtly reinforce notions of human dominance. This raises questions about our relationship with the natural world. Voltz creates a world where childhood is presented as a time of carefree play and simple pleasures, perhaps as a respite from the changing social landscape. Consider how the print might be interpreted differently depending on one's own experiences with nature, childhood, and the complex relationships between humans and animals. It prompts us to reflect on our values.