Mensch leef vroom en goed (...) 1832 - 1850

Theodorus Johannes Wijnhoven-Hendriksen’s "Mensch leef vroom en goed (...)" (1832-1850) from the Rijksmuseum is a watercolor drawing on paper that uses a unique visual style to create the Dutch phrase "Man, live righteously and well, serve your Father and your Mother". The artist has crafted each letter from tiny figures, each performing a different activity, lending a playful and whimsical nature to the piece. It is a testament to the artist's ability to use a simple form to convey a complex message, a feature of 19th-century Dutch art.