Uit Nederlandsche volksspelen ontleend 1850 - 1881

This undated print, made by D. Noothoven van Goor in Leiden, Netherlands, depicts a series of scenes related to Dutch folk games and proverbs. The artist presents a snapshot of popular culture, one that subtly reinforces social values and norms for its young audience. The scenes appear to represent the values of the Dutch common man. This was a period of increasing nationalism and the rise of capitalism and colonialism. We might interpret this as a conservative piece of art, reinforcing folk traditions in the face of cultural change. To fully understand this print, we'd want to explore archives of Dutch popular culture, and understand the role of printed images in shaping national identity during this period. The study of works such as this reminds us that art is always embedded in particular social and institutional contexts.