Scènes uit het Oude Testament 1842

This print, titled "Scenes from the Old Testament," was created by Jan Schuitemaker, and published in Purmerende, Netherlands. The date is unknown, but its style and subject matter can still tell us a great deal. The print contains a series of small scenes from the life of Abraham, rendered in a simple, accessible style. The prints were made for children with a didactic purpose. We see Abraham leaving for Canaan, pleading for Sodom, and meeting Rebekah. Each scene is accompanied by a short caption in Dutch. What's interesting here is that the print comes from a time of great change in Dutch society. It's a time when new ideas about education were emerging. This print seems to reflect a desire to teach children about the Bible in a clear and engaging way. As historians we could look at the publishing house and trace its religious affiliations, to understand this work better. The print’s simple style also speaks to its popular purpose.