De nieuwe geschiedenis van Klein Duimpje / De nieuwe geschiedenis van Roodkapje 1836 - 1849

This print by D. Lijsen presents two well-known fairy tales, Thumbkin and Little Red Riding Hood, through a series of narrative scenes structured in a grid. The arrangement of these vignettes invites a comparative reading of the stories' themes and morals. Notice the stark lines and the contrasting tones that define the characters and their environments. The artist employs a simplified visual language, reducing forms to their essential contours. This flattening of perspective serves to highlight the symbolic nature of the tales. The lack of depth directs our attention to the surface, emphasizing the print's role as a medium for transmitting cultural codes. The composition, divided into neat rectangles, reflects a rational ordering of the narrative, yet the emotional intensity of each scene disrupts any sense of serene detachment. Lijsen uses the print medium to explore how traditional stories can be reconfigured and reinterpreted, prompting us to consider the evolving cultural meanings they carry.