Beschouwd, ô jeugd! deez' agt bedryven, / Dan zal ons werk in achting blyven; / Strekt deze prent u tot vermaak, / Zyn wy voldaan in onze zaak 1791 - 1812

This print was made in Rotterdam by Jacobus Thompson, and it combines etching with a simple woodcut. The images and verses here offer us a glimpse into the world of childhood in the Netherlands, and how this world was carefully observed and shaped. It's striking how the visual language constructs childhood not as an innocent idyll, but as a training ground for social roles. We see children engaged in labor, in courtship, and in games of chance. The verses offer moral guidance, hinting at the importance of education, hard work, and cautious behavior. Consider the social and economic structures of the time, the rise of mercantile capitalism, and the importance of social order. The images normalize a hierarchical society. To fully understand this print, we might consult period texts on education, conduct manuals, and histories of Dutch society. In doing so, we discover the complex interplay between art, culture, and the shaping of young minds.