De geschiedenis van Asschepoester 1873

This is a print of the fairy tale Cinderella, or “De geschiedenis van Asschepoester,” by De Ruyter & Meijer, made at an unknown date. The composition is divided into a grid of small scenes, each a window into a key moment of the narrative. Notice how the artists use color to differentiate social classes: muted tones for Cinderella in her servitude, and vibrant reds and golds for the aristocracy. The perspective flattens the space, creating a stage-like setting for the characters to perform their roles. This flattening effect serves not just as a stylistic choice, but also as a means of presenting archetypal characters rather than individuals with psychological depth. The sequential arrangement invites us to 'read' the story, moving from one scene to the next, like panels in a comic strip. The print functions less as a work of art and more as a cultural artifact, reinforcing the socio-economic structures inherent in the Cinderella narrative.