Walvisvangst 1850

This is a print titled 'Walvisvangst'—or 'Whaling'—by Jan Schuitemaker. It presents a series of six scenes arranged on a single sheet, likely intended for a young audience, given the title, "Magazine of Prints for the Youth." The dominant visual element is the stark contrast between the black ink and the off-white paper. The scenes depict various aspects of whaling, from spotting whales to processing them. The images employ a repetitive visual structure, each framed within a roughly rectangular space. Through stark lines and contrasts, Schuitemaker creates depth and texture, using the graphic possibilities to suggest the vastness of the sea. The use of framed scenes creates a sense of order, segmenting the narrative of whaling into manageable parts. Yet, the lack of tonal variation and the rigid geometric layout of the frames destabilize any sense of naturalism, emphasizing the print's constructed nature. The text accompanying each scene functions as a caption, further anchoring the images within a didactic, almost pedagogical framework. This interplay between image and text reveals a structured approach to conveying information, highlighting the cultural codification of knowledge.