Wil, jeugd! uw oog en geest vermaaken, / Met Bybelsche historizaaken; / Waarin gods magt u wordt getoond, / Die 't kwaade straft en 't goede loont 1715 - 1813

This print, now in the Rijksmuseum, was made by the heirs of the widow Cornelis Stichter. It is a copper engraving, a technique that allowed for the relatively inexpensive reproduction of images. Look closely, and you’ll see that it's made up of twelve scenes from the Bible. Each one would have required a skilled engraver to incise the image into the copper plate, a labor-intensive process. The plate would then be inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the design. The real beauty here is the degree of detail that the artist was able to achieve, using only the contrast between the engraved lines and the blank paper. This print was clearly intended for a broad audience, offering moral lessons through accessible imagery. We should remember that even the most seemingly modest objects can offer insight into the social and economic conditions of their making. By appreciating the work involved, we recognize the value of this artwork.