Zoo deze prent, o, lieve jeugd... blad met acht voorstellingen over de jeugd en volwassenheid c. 1800 - 1900

This is a print from an unknown date by Erve Wijsmuller, depicting eight scenes about youth and adulthood. These images, made with ink and watercolor, offer a glimpse into the domestic and social lives of 18th-century Dutch society. The images touch on themes of education, discipline, and social relationships. We see children learning their letters, receiving gifts, and engaging in disputes. Adults are depicted in scenes of courtship, leisure, and commerce. These scenes reflect the values and expectations placed upon individuals at different stages of life. The image captions offer moral lessons, such as "The new is often like smoke." These didactic messages highlight the importance of virtue, diligence, and social harmony. Though the figures may seem quaint, they speak to universal experiences of growth, learning, and navigating the complexities of human interaction. This piece invites us to reflect on the ever-changing nature of life's stages.