Rebslageren. Prøvetryk til Chr. Winther og M. Rørbye, "25 Billeder for små børn" 1846

Adolph Kittendorff created this test print called "Rebslageren" for a children's book in nineteenth-century Denmark. The image is a window into the rural life and labor of the time. Consider the scene: a rope maker, perhaps a child himself, is seated, working at his craft, while a dog rests nearby. In the background, another figure walks along a path. The presence of a rope-making wheel suggests the local economy and the division of labor, and the image presents a picture of self-sufficiency rooted in the countryside. What makes this image so interesting is its institutional context. Designed for a children's book, it reflects the values and educational priorities of the time. How did educational institutions shape views about rural life and labor? What role did images play in shaping children's understanding of their world and social norms? By examining these aspects, along with the historical resources about Danish society, we can better understand the messages embedded in this seemingly simple image.