Geketende man door twee agenten weggevoerd van een slijterij 1838 - 1912

This print, made by Isaac Weissenbruch, depicts a man in handcuffs being escorted away from a liquor store by two officers. Created for a Dutch children's magazine, this image would have been intended to teach a moral lesson. The scene captures a moment of public shame, reflecting the societal attitudes towards alcohol consumption and petty crime in the Netherlands at the time. The print includes a verse from Galatians, reminding the viewer of God’s commandment against stealing, furthering the idea that sin and criminality were linked with lower class people drinking in the 'Slytery', as can be seen in the sign hanging outside. Was the artist reinforcing social norms, or offering a critique of policing? Understanding this image requires looking at the social history of public order and morality in the 19th-century Netherlands. Resources in archives and libraries can help us understand the complex relationship between the individual, law enforcement, and social institutions.