Zie, jeugd! hoe deze prent u biedt / Wat u, van jongs af aan geschiedt; / En welk een zorg voor nutte zaken / Vereischt wordt, om 't kind groot te maken 1806 - 1830

This educational print was made by Johan Noman in the early 19th century, using the technique of etching. It belongs to a vast world of printed ephemera, made to be widely circulated and consumed. The material qualities are simple: ink impressed on paper, but the impact of such images was immense. Prints like these were a primary means of communicating ideas and social norms. Notice how each scene, depicting a child's upbringing, is carefully delineated. The crisp lines and graphic quality speak to the skill of the etcher, who would have used acid to bite into a metal plate, creating a template for reproduction. The very act of printing reflects the rise of mass production and a growing consumer culture. It democratized access to information, but also standardized values, reinforcing social hierarchies and expectations, such as the ‘care for useful things’ mentioned in the title. It’s a reminder that even seemingly innocent images can be powerful tools in shaping society.