Om dat gy zoete jongelingen / Altijd tragt na nieuwe dingen [(...)] 1725 - 1780

This undated, hand-colored woodcut, whose title translates to "Oh you sweet youngsters, always strive for new things," was created by Johannes Kannewet the Younger. Kannewet, a Dutch printer and publisher, produced this piece during a period of significant religious and political upheaval in the Netherlands. The print is composed of twenty-four small scenes accompanied by biblical texts. It’s organized to be not just visually appealing, but also to convey moral lessons. In each image, the figures and settings are rendered with an economy of line, typical of the woodcut medium. This directness in representation echoes the Protestant values that were gaining prominence at the time. Kannewet seems to be emphasizing themes of guidance and caution amidst change. The choice to depict biblical scenes could reflect an appeal to traditional values in a rapidly changing world. Yet, by making these stories accessible through print, Kannewet was also participating in the democratization of knowledge. This artwork serves as both a historical artifact and a mirror to the complex dynamics of faith, social change, and individual experience.