Reintje de Vos. / Plaat II c. 1843 - 1920

This print, titled "Reintje de Vos. / Plaat II", was created by E. Ille and presents a series of scenes populated by anthropomorphic animals. These images draw from the medieval cycle of allegorical stories that often feature Reynard the Fox. The story of Reynard the Fox isn’t just a tale of cunning; it's a reflection on societal structures, power, and morality. The use of animals allows for a critical yet humorous commentary on human behavior. Here, we see animals dressed in human clothing enacting scenes of judgment, trickery, and domestic life, which cleverly blurs the line between the animal and human realms. The choice of animals itself plays a role; the fox, traditionally seen as sly, embodies a particular kind of social critique. Through it, we can explore the ways in which marginalized figures navigate power dynamics and subvert expectations. These images are a reminder that stories, even those wrapped in the guise of animal tales, are powerful tools for understanding ourselves and the world around us.