Het nieuwe vermakelijke Luilekkerland 1822 - 1849

This amusing print, "The New Delightful Land of Cockaigne," was created by Jan de Lange the Younger in the 19th century. It illustrates a topsy-turvy world, a motif that harkens back to medieval carnival traditions, where social hierarchies are inverted and gluttony reigns supreme. Observe the abundance of food readily available, the figures engaged in leisure, and the general absence of labor. This imagery evokes the mythical Land of Cockaigne, a paradise of ease and plenty. This concept isn't unique; it echoes in ancient Greek myths of the Golden Age, where the earth provided sustenance without toil. Yet, such symbols of abundance and leisure also carry a darker, psychoanalytic undercurrent. They represent a collective yearning for a world free from hardship, a desire deeply embedded in our subconscious. The image, therefore, isn't just whimsical; it's a reflection of our deepest desires and anxieties, a theme that continues to resonate across cultures and throughout history.