De aardige grapjes c. 1902

This print, titled 'De aardige grapjes', presents a series of mischievous scenes, capturing moments of childhood pranks, rendered in a lighthearted style. The image, with its vignettes of playful misconduct, brings to mind the archetypal figure of the trickster, a motif found across cultures and throughout history. The boy's actions, though minor, tap into a primal energy, a desire to subvert order that resonates on a subconscious level. Observe how the children interact with animals, cattle, or horses. The disruption of domesticity and the exploitation of animals are recurring themes in the iconography of transgression. Consider the image of a boy upsetting a cart: it echoes scenes of chaos found in ancient myths, where disruption is both feared and celebrated. The recurring presence of such motifs speaks to our collective memory, a repository of images and symbols that shape our understanding of the world. These 'nice jokes,' as the title suggests, are not merely harmless games but manifestations of deeper, timeless impulses.