De drie dwergen c. 1889 - 1906

This illustrated print titled "De drie dwergen" or "The Three Dwarfs," was created by Charles Burckhardt's successors. It presents a comic strip-like narrative. The story unfolds in a series of panels and depicts a woman and a man who are unable to have children, making a deal with three dwarfs to grant them a child if she gives the dwarfs her first born. Gender roles are central; the woman’s role is domestic, emphasizing her duty to procreate. The dwarfs, as supernatural beings, complicate the social order. While seemingly a tale of fantasy, the story reflects societal pressures around childbirth and the perceived roles of women and men in the family structure. The print is not just an illustration of a fairy tale but an encapsulation of cultural expectations. It invites us to consider how these narratives, deeply embedded in folklore, shape our understanding of gender, family, and societal obligations, all while weaving a fantastical tale.