Dieren 1843

This print was made in 1843 by Jan Schuitemaker as part of a series called 'Picture Magazine for the Youth'. It depicts six different animals – deer, llama, chamois, ibex, reindeer and musk deer – each accompanied by a short verse. We can see here the growth of popular publishing and the emergence of specifically educational material aimed at children. Illustrated magazines like this reflected the 19th-century enthusiasm for natural history, but they also served a social purpose, instilling particular values in young readers. The verses offer moral lessons, associating each animal with traits like gentleness or resourcefulness. Notice how the reindeer is shown in a landscape that includes an indigenous man wearing traditional dress. These images reinforced a sense of Dutch identity and its place in a wider world. To fully understand Schuitemaker’s print, we can research the history of Dutch children’s literature and the rise of scientific education. By exploring these social and institutional contexts, we gain a richer understanding of the print’s cultural significance.