Wie jeugdig tydverdryf en kinderlyke spelen, / Aanschouwelyk gemaakt, in kleine prent-tafreelen [(...)] before 1831

This undated print, "Wie jeugdig tydverdryf en kinderlyke spelen," by W. & M.P. Hissink, uses etching to depict scenes of youthful pastimes. The absence of a specific date situates it within a broader historical context, where childhood was increasingly idealized but also subject to strict social codes. Each vignette captures a moment of play, from bathing in a stream to chasing butterflies. The verses below each image offer moralistic undertones, perhaps reflecting the era's emphasis on didacticism in children's literature. Yet, amidst the lessons, there's an undeniable sense of joy. Consider the scene where children play with sheaves of wheat, or where one child is pulled in a cart by a goat; these moments embody a certain freedom. These images reflect societal values and emphasize the emotional and personal dimensions of play. The print thus becomes a poignant reminder of childhood's fleeting innocence.