Bijbelsche geschiedenis 1861 - 1929

Albertus Willem Sijthoff created this print, "Biblical History," in the Netherlands, though the exact date is unknown. Its title, which translates as "Prints for the Benefit of the Public," connects it to the 19th-century tradition of educational prints. The image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references related to Dutch Protestantism. The scenes depicted are drawn from the Old and New Testaments. By arranging them together on one sheet, it is hoped that the viewer will find resonances and parallels between them. Institutions are central to the interpretation of this artwork. Although prints like these were made for educational purposes, it is important to ask how they might have been used by families and schools. It's also interesting to consider how they reflect particular theological and political viewpoints. Research into the history of Dutch education, religion, and print culture can help us better understand its function.