Hier heeft de jeugd tot haar gerijf / Jan den Wassers leven en bedrijf 1725 - 1780

This undated print by Johannes Kannewet is titled "Hier heeft de jeugd tot haar gerijf / Jan den Wassers leven en bedrijf" and resides in the Rijksmuseum. Composed of 42 small, framed vignettes, the print presents a sequence of scenes from daily life, rendered with fine lines and minimal color. This structure creates a sense of order and categorization, inviting us to read the narrative as a set of discrete, yet interconnected episodes. Kannewet employs a formal approach that mirrors the structuralist interest in systems and relationships. The modular format, where each scene is contained within a frame, highlights the print's construction as a series of signs. Each image functions semiotically, contributing to the broader narrative. The limited color palette and precise linework further emphasize form and structure. Note the strategic use of spatial arrangements within each scene, guiding the eye and suggesting relationships between figures and objects. These compositions invite us to consider how the artist used visual elements to convey meaning. This piece can be seen as a cultural artifact that reflects the philosophical underpinnings of its time.