Klein Duimkens leven / Vie du petit Poucet 1856 - 1900

This print of Klein Duimkens Leven, or Hop-o'-My-Thumb, was made by Glenisson & Zonen and presents a series of narrative scenes from the well-known folk tale. Hop-o'-My-Thumb is a story of abandonment, poverty, and child ingenuity. These are major themes which resonate in the oral tradition of many European countries, including the Netherlands, where Glenisson & Zonen were based. In the nineteenth century, folk tales were taken very seriously. They were thought to reveal something essential about the character of a nation and its people. Here we see a set of images that create meaning through recognizable visual codes. What’s interesting about this print is the way it reflects the culture of its time. It is neither especially conservative nor progressive, but uses the folk tradition to speak to widespread social anxieties about poverty and family. As an art historian, I would want to find out more about Glenisson & Zonen, as well as the publishing industry of the time, to understand this image more fully. Ultimately, this artwork reminds us that its meaning is always contingent on its social and institutional context.