Hoe wordt dit schoon geboomt' verzorgd, door maagden en door knapen! / Een enkle, (die wis zieklyk is,) ligt aan den voet te slapen 1806 - 1830

This 19th-century etching by Gerrit Oortman depicts a scene of a young boy climbing a tree, surrounded by adults and children. The inscription below the image, written in Dutch, alludes to a moral about youthful curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, and its small size (316 mm x 397 mm) suggests that it was originally intended as a private, illustrative print. The artist's use of line and hatching creates a sense of depth and detail, conveying the intricate relationships and dynamics between the characters. This piece exemplifies the sentimental genre, which emphasizes emotions, childhood innocence, and the beauty of nature.