Verhaal van de jongen Jantje, nr. 9 1862

This is number nine of the ‘Story of the Boy Jantje’ series, made in 1862 by Pieter van Loon using pen and ink. The cartoon tells a visual story, but it also reflects the social values and class distinctions of 19th-century Netherlands. Van Loon employs caricature to distinguish two male characters: one tall and slender, the other shorter, with a stern demeanor, possibly representing different social strata. The setting is a domestic interior, suggesting a middle-class environment. The narrative hints at themes of authority, possibly paternal, and disobedience, with a humorous undertone. Consider the role of the Rijksmuseum, the institution that houses this cartoon. It can shape how the public interprets Van Loon’s work. Understanding the cultural context through archival research helps us understand how art like this reflects—or perhaps gently critiques—the social norms of its time.