De Notenkraker, 5 mei 1907 / De gebroken ladder Possibly 1907

This black and white illustration, titled "De Gebroken Ladder" (The Broken Ladder), was created by Albert (I) Hahn for the Dutch magazine "De Notenkraker" in 1907. The humorous drawing depicts a group of men in top hats trying to reach a tree branch laden with shoes. The caption reads "Heemaeker: ...Zet dat ding maar weg: zóó komen wij er toch niet meer bij." (Heemaeker: ...Just put that thing away: we won't reach it like this anyway.), creating a comical situation. The artist's use of simple lines and exaggeration highlights the absurdity of the scene. The piece is a fine example of early 20th-century Dutch illustration and humor.