Roodkapje 1893 - 1894

Editor: This is "Roodkapje," or "Little Red Riding Hood," a print from 1893-1894 by Imagerie d'Epinal - Pellerin. It’s presented as a series of sequential images, like a comic strip almost. It feels both nostalgic and a little unsettling, especially knowing the story. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This image offers a fascinating glimpse into the commodification and dissemination of folklore during the late 19th century. What strikes me is how this print, designed for mass consumption, flattens and simplifies a complex narrative. Fairy tales, passed down through generations, often served as allegories for societal anxieties surrounding female agency and predatory male behavior. Do you see any echoes of that here, despite the simplification? Editor: I do, actually. Even in these small panels, the wolf's disguise and Red Riding Hood’s vulnerability are evident. It does raise the question, though, of whether something is lost when a cautionary tale like this becomes a mass-produced comic. Curator: Precisely. The transformation from oral tradition to print changes the function. The nuances of storytelling are sacrificed, yet the underlying power dynamics, albeit subtly, are still there. Consider also, who was the intended audience? These prints were likely aimed at children, thus shaping their understanding of gender roles, obedience, and potential dangers. It makes you think about the responsibility of those creating and distributing these narratives, doesn't it? Editor: It definitely does. I hadn't considered the active role the publisher plays in shaping the viewers' values. It really shifts the whole meaning of the piece for me. Curator: Indeed. Analyzing this print through that lens helps us understand how seemingly innocuous forms of entertainment can perpetuate or challenge prevailing social norms. There is definitely a larger narrative.