De sneeuwbal 1876 - 1890

This is a print called 'The Snowball', by an anonymous artist. The series of images tells a wordless story, common in children’s books and magazines of the time, which speaks to the period's social dynamics and values. Here, we observe a boy who, after being denied oranges by a guard, retaliates by building a giant snowball, with which he assaults the man. The narrative unfolds with a clear class dynamic, highlighting themes of authority, resistance, and childhood mischief. What is interesting about this simple comic is that it offers a lens through which we can consider how social norms, power, and even rebellion were represented and understood in popular visual culture. The final panel, where the boy triumphs, serves as a cathartic, if fleeting, victory over authority, resonating with the viewers through its playful yet pointed commentary on social hierarchies.