Lichamelijke oefeningen; klimmen A 1806

Daniël Veelwaard created this print, “Lichamelijke oefeningen; klimmen A”, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century in the Netherlands. The image depicts a boy engaged in gymnastic exercises, climbing a pole. This print is part of a larger cultural shift towards emphasizing physical education and health, driven by Enlightenment ideals. During this period, institutions like schools and military academies began to incorporate gymnastics into their curricula, aiming to cultivate disciplined and healthy citizens. The focus on physical fitness also reflects broader social concerns about national strength and civic virtue. The print's instructional nature reflects the period's emphasis on rationalism and the belief that human capabilities could be improved through systematic training. To understand this image more fully, one might consult educational treatises, school records, and military manuals of the time. By examining these sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and institutional contexts that shaped the production and reception of this print.