Deez'prent is 't geld wel dubbeld waard, / Ziet dieren tam en wild van aard 1856 - 1900

This print by Glenisson & Zonen presents a grid of animals, each neatly boxed and accompanied by text in Dutch. Its title, which translates to "This print is worth double the money, seeing animals tame and wild by nature," gives us a clue as to its purpose. Prints like these, made in the Netherlands, likely served an educational function. Consider the rise of popular education in the 18th and 19th centuries and the increased demand for accessible learning materials. This print uses images of animals—both familiar and exotic—to engage young minds. What kind of worldview does this print promote? Is it one that emphasizes human control over nature, or perhaps one that encourages curiosity about the wider world? To delve deeper, we might explore the history of Dutch printmaking, the development of natural history illustration, or even conduct a comparative analysis of other educational materials from the period. The meaning of art shifts over time. The role of the historian is to uncover how art and institutions have been related.