Elk kind dat zoet ter schoole gaat. / Die leert wat goeds en doet geen kwaad 1850 - 1870

"Elk kind dat zoet ter schoole gaat. / Die leert wat goeds en doet geen kwaad" was created by Gerrit Oortman, sometime before 1822. This print presents a grid of twelve vignettes, each a snapshot of a child's life and education. The scenes, rendered with delicate lines and subtle colour washes, are neatly compartmentalized, emphasizing order and structure. The composition evokes a sense of regulated societal space, a visual manifestation of societal norms. The grid format itself speaks to a controlled vision of childhood, where each panel represents a specific stage or aspect of a child's development. Oortman employs line and form to subtly guide our reading of these scenes. Consider how each frame offers a small world governed by rules and expectations. This regulated structure may imply the cultural and philosophical discourse of the era, reflecting a society keen on instilling order and moral instruction through education.