De Gelaarsde kat 1875 - 1903

Here is the audio guide text for the artwork: This lithograph print, titled "De Gelaarsde Kat," or "Puss in Boots" was published in Haarlem by I. De Haan as part of the "New Dutch Children's Prints." These prints served as a way to disseminate stories that were traditionally passed down orally, allowing for the broader cultural transmission of children's stories. The images tell the tale of Puss in Boots, a cat who uses cunning and trickery to elevate his master from poverty to nobility. In the context of the rapidly industrializing Netherlands, this narrative likely resonated with societal anxieties and aspirations around social mobility and class identity. Consider how the story, rendered visually here, uses humor and fantasy to explore themes of social climbing, cleverly commenting on the values and desires of its audience. The fairy tale doesn't offer a clear moral compass, but rather, provides a space to reflect on the complex relationship between ambition, social status, and personal identity.