Hier hebt gy, kindren! een nieuw bericht, van 't leven / Van uwen ouden vriend, d'alom vermaarden Steven (bygenaamd Van der Klok) 1806 - 1830

Editor: So, this is "Hier hebt gy, kindren! een nieuw bericht, van 't leven / Van uwen ouden vriend, d'alom vermaarden Steven (bygenaamd Van der Klok)"—quite a mouthful! It's an engraving by Johan Noman, dating from around 1806 to 1830. It looks like an early comic strip. What's striking is the narrative, almost like little windows into everyday life. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's tempting to see this as a simple proto-comic, but it’s vital to consider its broader social context. These kinds of prints often served as a form of popular communication. Do you see any specific scenes that catch your eye, perhaps revealing social or political commentaries of the time? Editor: Hmm, there's one where a figure is falling backwards with children pointing at him… or the one where people seem to be toasting, possibly making a deal? Is it offering social commentary through caricature, then? Curator: Precisely. These scenes are likely embedded with recognizable social types or references to current events, which would have resonated with its 19th-century viewers. Who was "Steven?" The artist’s use of storytelling can promote critical discussions around values and norms. Do you think it normalizes or subverts societal behaviours, given the chaotic nature? Editor: Subverts it, perhaps? By showing these comical and occasionally violent scenes, maybe Noman critiques the established order in a palatable way for mass consumption. Thank you for your perspectives! Curator: It’s a vital reminder that even seemingly simple images carry layers of meaning when considered within their historical and social circumstances. That in turn encourages people to question societal norms and the construction of identities. It gives agency back to viewers.