Deez' prent, ô lieve jeugd! ziet gij aan u vereeren, / Om spelend, met gemak, het A, B, C te leeren 1820 - 1838

Christiaan Jacob Schuyling created this print to teach children the alphabet, though its seemingly innocent presentation warrants a closer look. Made in Rotterdam, it reflects the Dutch colonial era, where education was often intertwined with cultural and racial biases. Each letter is associated with an image, but these visuals are far from neutral. Take, for instance, the letter 'N' paired with an image of a Black man with a bow and arrow. Such depictions reinforced the era’s colonial narratives, casting non-European people as exotic others. It is a powerful reminder of how education can subtly perpetuate stereotypes. The Dutch title of the artwork translates to: “This print, oh sweet youth! see here to amuse yourselves, / To learn the ABC playfully and easily". This print is not just an alphabet lesson; it's a cultural artifact that exposes the complex relationship between education, identity, and power. It serves as a reminder of the importance of critically examining the historical and cultural contexts embedded within seemingly simple learning tools.