Aen u, o lieve jeugd, die steeds met yver leert / Wordt uit een kindermin dees mooye prent vereerd 1833 - 1870

This print by Glenisson & Van Genechten presents a grid of figures, each meticulously rendered with fine lines and delicate washes of color. The composition is divided into cells, reminiscent of a chart or a table, which invites us to consider the relationships between the figures. Notice how the artist uses the formal structure of the grid to create a system of representation. Each figure is framed by a letter, suggesting an encyclopedic intent. Yet, the figures themselves—soldiers, peasants, and classical warriors—disrupt any easy categorization. We can see a semiotic system at play here. Each figure functions as a sign, referring not only to a specific type of person, but also to broader cultural and historical meanings. The formal arrangement of the print, combined with its diverse imagery, challenges fixed meanings and invites us to explore the complex interplay between representation and knowledge. The grid becomes a space where different worlds collide, prompting us to question how we classify and understand the world around us.