Zie hier, o lieve jeugd! van uit het verre Oosten, / Veel volkeren bij een, elk in zijn kleederdragt, / Tartaar en Arabier, Armeniers, Kalmukken, / Vindt gij, tot uw vermaak, hier nu te zaam gebragt 1848 - 1881

This print, by Lutkie and Cranenburg, presents a series of figures in traditional dress from across Asia. The inscription frames it as an educational tool, promising to bring together, for the amusement of children, many peoples from the distant East. Prints like this one were popular in the Netherlands during the 19th century, reflecting a growing interest in global cultures, spurred by trade and colonialism. It presents the different regions and people, offering Dutch children a glimpse into a world beyond their own. The figures are meticulously rendered, emphasizing the variety and perceived exoticism of non-European cultures. This approach, however, also highlights the unequal power dynamics inherent in colonialism, where the West becomes the observer and classifier of the East. What did these images teach children about their place in the world? To fully understand this artwork, scholars might research the history of Dutch colonialism, the production and circulation of prints, and the cultural attitudes towards non-European societies. Art is always contingent on social and institutional contexts, and this print is no exception.