Als gij, o lieve jeugd! uw lessen hebt geleerd, / Dan zij deez' prent het loon, waarmee gij wordt vereerd / Que vous aurez appris, enfants, votre leçon / Que cette image soit alors pour vous un don 1833 - 1911

This hand-colored print was made by Brepols & Dierckx zoon, sometime in the 19th century. The print presents a series of small vignettes, each illustrating a simple scene of daily life, accompanied by moralizing texts in both Dutch and French. Prints like these were often produced in the Netherlands and Belgium for educational purposes, offering children a reward for learning their lessons. As such, we can look at this work as a glimpse into the values and expectations placed on children during this period. Notice how labor and leisure, family and community are all presented, shaping a child’s understanding of their place in society. The inclusion of both Dutch and French text also speaks to the complex cultural and linguistic landscape of Belgium at the time. As historians, we can use sources like these to understand the social and cultural norms that were being promoted and the ways in which children were being socialized into particular roles and responsibilities. By looking at prints, books and other educational materials we can gain a deeper insight into the lives of children in the past.