Geschiedenis van Asschepoetstertje 1840 - 1868

This is "Geschiedenis van Asschepoetstertje" (History of Cinderella), a 19th-century print by A. Jacobs, that unfolds the Cinderella narrative through a series of sequential images. Observe how the motif of the slipper permeates this series; this object represents the journey of the soul, a metaphor for transformation and recognition. This symbol echoes in ancient myths such as the story of Psyche whose identity is revealed through a token. It also relates to the Japanese folktale of the sparrow which, like Cinderella, is initially dismissed and abused, yet possesses an innate beauty that is eventually discovered. The slipper, the central symbol, undergoes a fascinating evolution. In the present, this object is no more than a consumerist desire, mass produced, stripped of its spiritual essence. In Jacobs' artwork, it embodies the collective longing for justice and transformation, a yearning that transcends time and cultural boundaries, thus revealing the enduring power of shared human experiences.