Drie kinderen spelen badminton of pluimbal 1807 - 1855

Johannes Alexander Rudolf Best was a Dutch artist who created this black and white print titled “Drie kinderen spelen badminton of pluimbal” (Three Children Playing Badminton or Shuttlecock) sometime between 1807 and 1855. The image shows three children playing badminton, a popular pastime in the Netherlands at the time. The scene is set in a rural setting, with a house and a tree in the background. The simple composition and realistic detail of the figures and objects provide a glimpse into daily life in the Netherlands during the early 19th century. Best's use of line and shading is evident in this print, which is an excellent example of 19th-century Dutch illustration.