Ziet! Kaïn, met geheven knods [(...)] 1861 - 1929

Editor: So, this is "Ziet! Kaïn, met geheven knods" by Albertus Willem Sijthoff, created sometime between 1861 and 1929. It's a woodcut print, and it’s… well, it’s quite a lot to take in! All these little scenes, almost like a comic strip, but with religious imagery. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What I see is a reflection of how religious narratives were disseminated and consumed within a specific social context. This print, produced for children, highlights the institutional role of religion in shaping moral values. Consider the impact of visual culture on young minds and the political implications of framing biblical stories in this way. Does it strike you as propaganda? Editor: Propaganda? I hadn't really thought of it that way. I was just focused on the storytelling aspect. But I guess choosing certain scenes, framing Cain in a certain light... it does shape a particular message, right? Curator: Precisely. Sijthoff, as a publisher, was participating in a larger cultural project, deciding which stories to tell and how to tell them. It is not just an innocent illustration but part of a broader didactic effort that served particular societal purposes. Who had access to such prints, and how might these images have shaped children’s understandings of morality and social order? Editor: That makes me see it differently. I was focusing on the images themselves, but you’re making me think about who made it, who it was for, and why. It's fascinating how much a seemingly simple children's print can tell us about the society it came from. Curator: Indeed. Art serves as a window into history. Reflecting on this, what stands out most now, considering our discussion on its broader cultural implications? Editor: Now, I think it is like holding a time capsule from a past social structure that sought to use religious storytelling to educate kids! Thank you!