Als gij, lieve kleinen, deez' prent hebt gelezen, / En welligt verlangend naar and'ren mogt wezen, / Haal dan uwe ouders of vriendenmaar aan, / Er zijn er nog meer die u aan zullen staan 1827 - 1894

Curator: Here we have a lithograph print dating between 1827 and 1894 by M. Hemeleers-van Houter, titled, “Als gij, lieve kleinen, deez' prent hebt gelezen, / En welligt verlangend naar and'ren mogt wezen, / Haal dan uwe ouders of vriendenmaar aan, / Er zijn er nog meer die u aan zullen staan." Editor: My first thought is how much these vignettes resemble early forms of comics. I am immediately drawn to the organization and sequential narration implied by these separate framed images. Curator: I agree, and that’s partly why it is a great example of narrative art. We see a progression, perhaps a cautionary tale told in images and verse, printed in registers upon the page. Notice the repetition of architectural features: doors, window frames, the patterned floors. Editor: Absolutely. I notice each domestic scene involves what seems like moral instruction or, at least, directives to children. I'm particularly interested in how this reflects the expectations placed on children, perhaps young girls, during the 19th century. The interiors seem staged and overly theatrical. What social anxieties might be lurking beneath the surface of these apparently innocent scenes of play and instruction? Curator: Note the careful delineation of interior space, and how light and shadow contribute to the depth and perceived realism in each miniature domestic setting. It highlights a keen understanding of perspective and composition—look at the strategic use of colour to draw the viewer's eye to focal points within each scene. Editor: It also prompts us to question whose story is being told, from whose perspective, and what power dynamics are at play. Perhaps it offers us an important glimpse into the socio-cultural environment of the time. Curator: It certainly provides material for rich interpretation—an intimate study of interiors. Editor: Precisely—a complex social artifact indeed.