Verschillende taferelen 1800 - 1833

Philippus Jacobus Brepols created "Verschillende taferelen," or "Different Scenes" in English, using etching techniques sometime between 1778 and 1845. Brepols was part of a family of printers in Turnhout, Belgium, a city known for its production of these kinds of prints. Each scene is accompanied by a short verse in both Dutch and French. Prints like these were often made for children, and were popular among the middle classes. They reflect the values and social structures of 18th and 19th century Belgium. The scenes depict everyday life, with attention to social hierarchies and gender roles. Consider the scene of the market; a man kisses the hand of the vendor, while a woman looks on. What does it mean to display such an exchange as a teaching moment? In a world rapidly changing due to industrialization and urbanization, these prints offered a nostalgic view of rural life, family, and community. However, they also reinforced societal norms around gender, class, and labor. They prompt us to reflect on how we learn about the world.