Verschillende voorstellingen 1848 - 1881

"Verschillende voorstellingen" or "Different Representations" created by Lutkie & Cranenburg is a print with a height of 324 mm and a width of 399 mm that is currently located in the Rijksmuseum. These vividly colored scenes, perhaps from a children’s book, depict moments of work and leisure that are tied to specific social roles and seasonal change. What strikes me about this print is the way it underscores the communal nature of everyday life. There is an awareness of the labor required for the functioning of society, and an understanding of the social strata that dictate who does what, when, and how. While scenes of ice skating and horse-drawn sleighs may appear idyllic, they also subtly reveal the economic disparities inherent in Dutch society. Who has the leisure time to engage in recreational activities, and who is bound to labor, regardless of the season? What does it mean to capture and display this societal structure? This print gently encourages us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about work, class, and the rhythms of daily life.