´T onschuldige vermaak der kindren, / Is aangenaam en kan niet hindren, / Maar 't schrikverwekkend onbescheid / Is 't dat de jeugd vermaak ontzeid 1715 - 1813

This is an engraving by erven weduwe Cornelis Stichter, whose title translates to "The innocent amusement of children, is pleasant and cannot hinder." Organized into four distinct panels, the composition uses a structured, grid-like arrangement. This format divides the narrative into discrete episodes, which invites us to compare and contrast the activities and their implied moral lessons. The artist employs a linear style, which is characteristic of engraving. Notice how the hatching and cross-hatching define form and space. The textures and patterns created by these lines add depth and visual interest to the scenes, emphasizing a contrast between innocence and impropriety. The scenes oscillate between indoor and outdoor settings, and each is carefully delineated. This juxtaposition serves to highlight the structured environments in which these children operate. By dissecting the visual structure, we begin to understand how the artist frames childhood and its regulation within a social context.