De dief en de duivel 1828 - 1937

This color print, "The Thief and the Devil," was created by Oehmigke & Riemschnieder. It depicts a narrative through a series of small scenes, a popular format for didactic storytelling. Without a specific date, it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise historical context, but the imagery suggests a period where religious morality was interwoven with social commentary. The story seems to explore themes of temptation, sin, and perhaps redemption, common in many European folk tales. The characters of the thief and the devil would have been immediately recognizable figures in the cultural landscape. The print likely functioned as a form of popular education, conveying moral lessons to a broad audience, especially those who might not have had access to formal schooling. To fully understand this work, we'd delve into the history of Dutch popular printmaking, exploring the role of such images in shaping public values and beliefs. We can learn about a society's anxieties, aspirations, and ethical frameworks through these accessible and engaging visual narratives.