Een zestal schepen, lieve jeugd! / Wordt in deez' prent u aangeboden [(...)] 1806 - 1830

This print, made by Johan Noman, a printer from Zaltbommel, visualizes ships and birds in a simple, blocky style. Produced in the Netherlands, its images and didactic verses reflect the cultural values of the time. The ships evoke the Dutch Republic's maritime power and mercantile prowess in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Dutch Golden Age was built on sea trade and exploration. The verses encourage young people to admire ships, to be brave at sea, and to contemplate pictures of ships and birds with pleasure. Prints like these were educational tools, aimed at instilling moral values and civic pride in the young. They reflect the social norms and aspirations of the rising middle class. To fully understand such images, historians consult not only the prints themselves but also period literature, trade records, and educational curricula. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.