Geschiedenis van Herman en Mietje 1869 - 1888

This print titled Geschiedenis van Herman en Mietje was created by J.H. van Wees II, although the exact date is unknown. Its comic-strip format tells a story of a boy and girl in twelve panels, articulated with simple, expressive lines and a limited palette of primary colors that captures our attention. The composition relies heavily on symmetry and balance; each panel is carefully framed, creating a sense of order despite the children’s chaotic behavior. The artist employs a structural approach to narrative, presenting a series of cause-and-effect scenarios. These scenes unfold like a sequence of linguistic signs, each building upon the last to form a coherent, albeit mischievous, tale. Ultimately, the print's formal structure—its organization of panels, use of color, and clear lines—functions as a framework for understanding social dynamics. The artwork invites us to consider how visual structures reflect and shape our understanding of everyday narratives and interactions.