Elk kind dat leert met lust en vlijt, / Zijn deze plaatjes toegewijd 1850 - 1870

This lithograph was made by Frederik Christiaan Fuchs in the Netherlands sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It uses a series of vignettes with short verses to explore themes of childhood, learning, and morality. These images create meaning through the visual codes of the time, referencing domesticity and religious devotion. In 19th century Netherlands, a strong emphasis was placed on education and moral instruction, particularly for children, and the rise of popular print culture made these lessons widely accessible. This print reflects those values, presenting idealized scenes of children praying, learning, and helping others. By studying this print within its historical context – considering the rise of mass media, the emphasis on education, and the social values of the time – we gain insight into the cultural forces that shaped both the production and reception of art. Resources such as historical archives, books, and periodicals, help us to better understand the contingent nature of art's meaning.