Spotprent over het onderwijs en wapenoefening, 1878 1878

This print by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans was made in 1878 and it engages with debates around education and military service in the Netherlands. The image shows a classical figure of a woman, the Dutch Maiden, entrusting a group of young boys to the care of two men seated behind a table. The Maiden seems to be passing on to them the duty of nurturing these boys into strong, capable men. The print seems to engage with a specific social and political context in the Netherlands. In the late 19th century, mandatory military service was a topic of discussion. The print may be suggesting that the education system should focus on preparing young men for their civic duty. Understanding this print requires an understanding of the relationship between civic duty and social institutions in the Netherlands at the time. Research into educational reforms, debates about military service, and the role of national identity in the late 19th century are valuable for uncovering more detail. This artwork therefore invites us to consider how images can participate in the shaping of social and political ideals.