[Leergier'ge jeugd die in] Gods bladen, / De wysheid zoekt, hier hebt ge stof: / Hier kunt g'uw oog en oor verzaden, / Tot eigen nut tot eigen lof 1806 - 1830

Editor: Here we have a print, "Leergier'ge jeugd die in Gods bladen... " It's a woodcut and engraving by Johan Noman, made sometime between 1806 and 1830, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. The composition, divided into nine little scenes, gives off this vibe of an ancient storybook. What strikes you most about this artwork? Curator: You're right, it *feels* old, doesn’t it? The densely packed scenes remind me of illuminated manuscripts, or maybe even early comics! Notice how each scene tells its own miniature story. It’s less about realistic representation, and more about symbolic communication. Are you picking up on a particular narrative being pieced together? It makes me wonder what was popular in visual storytelling back then, wouldn’t you say? Editor: It definitely reads sequentially, almost like panels in a graphic novel! I guess each frame depicts a biblical tale… I see what looks like Noah’s Ark, maybe Adam and Eve too? It's fascinating to see these monumental stories distilled into such small, self-contained images. What impact does that have? Curator: Good eye! Precisely, shrinking the 'larger than life' figures gives an immediacy, and allows us to view them on a human scale. Back then, it was like bringing these ancient tales closer to home, almost domesticating divinity. It provokes reflection, right? It makes me ponder about faith... Were you drawn to its detailed engraving style at all? Editor: Absolutely! The precision within the small size is impressive. It adds an austere and thoughtful mood to what are dramatic biblical moments. Curator: Exactly, the texture amplifies their potency. Considering the limits with hand-carved wood or engraving back then, it must have taken such patience. What do you make of the texts interwoven throughout each scene? Editor: It's interesting how the text both labels and interprets the images. It makes it very didactic, it shapes how the stories are read visually, perhaps narrowing down their meaning to guide "Leergier'ge jeugd"—'zealous youth'. This artwork gave me a completely fresh idea on how cultural context affects storytelling! Curator: Precisely! This makes one question what new possibilities lie beyond these miniature panels. The intersectionality is a constant dialogue isn’t it!