Historie van Jan Klaas / Histoire de Jean Colas 1856 - 1900

This print, *Historie van Jan Klaas / Histoire de Jean Colas*, was created by Glenisson & Zonen and presents a series of narrative vignettes across its surface. It is rendered in simple colors of green, purple and yellow. This piece offers a glimpse into the moral and social codes of its time, reflecting the era’s attitudes toward education, punishment, and social transgression. Each scene depicts an episode in the life of Jan Klaas, also known as Jean Colas, a character who seems to stumble from one mishap to another. We see him facing various forms of discipline, from corporal punishment to imprisonment, illustrating the societal mechanisms of control and correction. The story unfolds as a cautionary tale, inviting reflection on the values and norms that governed behavior and the consequences of straying from them. While Jan Klaas may come across as a miscreant, his story evokes a deeper sense of the complex relationship between the individual and the structures of authority. It reminds us to consider the social scripts that shape us and the paths we navigate in response.