Roodkapje 1878

This 415 by 342 mm illustration by De Ruyter & Meijer visualizes the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood. The page presents the narrative as a series of vignettes, each depicting a key scene from the well-known story. The image creates meaning through the visual codes that resonate with European folklore. The dark forest, the innocent child, and the lurking wolf all evoke cultural anxieties around innocence, danger, and the wild. Produced in the Netherlands, it's likely that this image reflects broader concerns in the 19th century, a period marked by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Fairy tales were often used to instill moral values and reinforce social norms. They served as a way to manage anxieties about the changing social landscape. The illustration itself can be understood within the context of the emerging print culture and its institutional role in disseminating cultural narratives. For a deeper understanding, one might research the history of Dutch children's literature and the role of illustrations in shaping cultural values. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on its social and institutional context.