Verlustig, lieve jeugd, uwe oogen. / Deez' prent beloont uw ijvrig pogen. / Aanschouw deez' dieren met vermaak, / Ligt leert gij nog een nutte zaak 1822 - 1870

This print, made by C.C.L. van Staden, presents a grid of animals, each accompanied by didactic verse, intended to instruct young minds. The imagery, however, resonates beyond mere lessons. Consider the lion, traditionally the king of beasts, a symbol of strength and nobility, yet here it appears somewhat subdued, domesticated. This contrasts sharply with the lion's depiction in ancient heraldry or Renaissance paintings, where it embodies raw power. Why does the lion in this print appear so meek? Could it be that the enlightenment values sought to tame even the most primal instincts? Such a symbolic shift echoes through time, reflecting humanity's evolving relationship with nature and its own wildness. The animals in this print elicit deep-seated responses that linger in our collective memory.