De provincie Vriesland. 232,712 inwoners 1843

This is a page from "Picture Magazine for Youth," made in 1843, by Willem Bal, featuring images of Friesland. We should consider how the production of imagery has always been tied to economic and institutional forces. The "Picture Magazine" was designed for educational purposes, aiming to instruct young people in the geography and culture of the Netherlands. The inclusion of population figures alongside images of landscapes and towns reflects an emerging interest in statistics, an emerging tool for governance and social planning in the 19th century. Each view is accompanied by descriptive text, emphasizing the importance of literacy and the power of the press in shaping national identity. The magazine itself is indicative of the growth of print culture. It reflects a shift towards mass media and the increasing accessibility of information to a wider audience. The images in the magazine also provide a glimpse into the social values of the time, reflecting on ideas of progress, industry, and national pride. To better understand the meaning of this work, we might consult historical archives, maps, and census records of the Netherlands in the 1840s.