Boeken, roedenbundels en brieven 1552

This print titled 'Boeken, roedenbundels en brieven' (Books, bundles of rods and letters) was created by Conrad Schnitt. This print is from a time when literacy and access to written materials were highly stratified, sharply divided along class and gender lines. Books and documents weren't merely tools for communication; they were potent symbols of authority, knowledge, and power. Schnitt’s depiction of books and documents is striking. The items appear to be carefully organized but still evoke a sense of restricted access, reminding us that literacy and the power it conveys were privileges. The image subtly asks us to consider who had the right to read, write, and interpret the world. Schnitt presents us with the idea that access to knowledge and participation in intellectual and political life were far from universal. It is a potent reminder of the ongoing struggles for equity in education and access to information.