Hemd zonder mouwen, kleindmodel: vervaardigd op de Normaalschool te Deventer c. 1888 - 1894

This is a small, sleeveless shirt, made without a known date by G. Glas at the Normaalschool in Deventer. The term Normaalschool refers to a training college for teachers, highlighting the intersection of education and craft in Dutch history. The shirt may appear simple, yet it embodies complex social and cultural values. The emphasis on functional design and practical skills reflects a broader movement towards accessible education. Made in a school setting, it challenges conventional notions of art by integrating craftsmanship into educational curricula. To understand this object more fully, we might look into the history of vocational training in the Netherlands and examine the role of craft in shaping national identity. Through careful historical research, we reveal how everyday objects act as powerful markers of cultural values.