Beschouw hier met opregte vreugd, / De spelen eener blijde jeugd, / Ook moet gij mooi de versjes lezen. / Dat zal voor u genoeglijk wezen 1822 - 1870

This print, made by C.C.L. van Staden, shows scenes of children at play. Dominant images include children playing games such as blind man's buff, seesaw, and kite flying, which are universal symbols of youth and innocence. These motifs tap into a deeper well of cultural memory. The image of children playing evokes not just the simplicity of youth but also the complex emotions tied to nostalgia and the passage of time. In the different scenes we see how the covering of a table with a red cloth, in the different scenes, is used to suggest the presence of something other, creating a playful, imaginative space that reflects our subconscious desires. The cyclical nature of childhood games—their repetition across generations—suggests a return to primal, instinctual behaviors. These symbols resonate because they are continuously rediscovered, reinterpreted, and imbued with new cultural significance, reflecting the human desire to return to a state of innocence, play, and renewal.