Dimensions: height 414 mm, width 332 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This lithograph by Jan Schuitemaker, titled "Scenes from the Life of the Prophet Daniel," likely produced in the Netherlands, presents six vignettes from the biblical Book of Daniel. These images, accompanied by captions, offer a glimpse into the visual culture of religious education aimed at young audiences. The decision to depict Daniel's story in a series of easily digestible scenes reflects the 19th-century trend towards mass media and the dissemination of moral lessons through popular imagery. The "Prenten-Magazijn voor de Jeugd," or Print Magazine for Youth, suggests an institutional context of religious instruction, possibly within a Sunday school or family setting. The print's conservative approach reinforces religious values. To gain a deeper understanding, scholars might explore the publishing history of J. Schuitemaker, period literature for children, and the broader context of religious education in the Netherlands. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.
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