Blad met scènes van kinderjaren Jezus in zes rijen 1750 - 1794

Johann Carl Munck created this print of scenes from the childhood of Jesus. It is undated but shares a resemblance to other works that he made in Germany during the eighteenth century. Prints like this one were affordable images that could be owned by those who didn't have the wealth to commission paintings. Religious imagery played an important role in eighteenth-century German life, and families would buy prints like this to teach their children about the Bible. Looking at the way Munck has arranged the scenes, we can see that he is not just interested in telling a story, but also in creating a visually pleasing design. You can see the way the scenes are arranged in rows, creating a sense of order and balance. What does this suggest about the institution of the church at this time? Does its imagery try to exert control? As art historians, we examine these prints through careful research of their provenance and cultural context.