Meisje heeft naald of speld in haar mond gestoken 1781 - 1799

This print, "Girl put needle or pin in her mouth" was created by Jan Lucas van der Beek in the late 18th, early 19th century. Notice how the artist has meticulously rendered the scene with fine lines. The composition is carefully arranged, dividing the space into distinct zones. Van der Beek uses line and form to convey a moral message. The image is structured around a clear contrast: the composed figure of the mother on the left, versus the chaotic activity of children centered in the composition. We see them playing with sharp objects. The detailed patterns on the wallpaper act as a backdrop, enhancing the sense of domestic realism. But it also heightens the underlying tension of the scene. The work functions as a visual warning. It invites us to contemplate the risks of childhood carelessness. It suggests a deeper concern with societal order and moral instruction. The artist uses the formal elements to emphasize the importance of caution and discipline within the domestic sphere.