Wensbrief met trekschuit 1792 - 1847

Hendrik Moolenyzer created this New Year’s card with a drawing and watercolor in 1830. These types of New Years wishes were common in the Netherlands and given to family. Let's consider the societal structure embedded in this personal message. The poem is addressed to female relatives, “Grandmother and Aunts,” suggesting the importance of familial matriarchs. The illustrations depict leisure activities, like ice skating, and traveling on a horse-drawn barge. These reflect the cultural values and social activities of the Dutch during the 19th century. The verses speak of reflecting on the past year while hoping for good fortune in the new one, which highlights the complex intertwining of personal hopes and broader social conditions. Although this card is a token of familial affection, it presents a snapshot of 19th-century Dutch society, revealing its values, pastimes, and the nuanced roles of women within the family structure.