Kinderen uit deez' prent kont gy vier vogels leeren, / Die onderscheiden zyn in kleur van hunne veeren [(...)] 1806 - 1830

This print, whose title translates to ‘Children in this print will learn to see four birds,’ was created by Johan Noman. Prints such as this, intended for children, were not only educational tools but also conveyed implicit moral and social values. The birds, while seemingly innocent, are framed within a cultural context ripe with colonial implications. Bird imagery was often used to evoke ideas of freedom, but in the context of the Dutch Golden Age, it could also symbolize global exploration and colonization. The representation of nature frequently served to normalize the exploitation of resources and people. The print encourages children to observe differences in color and form among living beings. Yet, in doing so, it subtly introduces ideas about categorization and hierarchy. Such classifications can lead to othering and discrimination, reflecting then-current societal views on race and class. This work remains a poignant reminder of the complexities embedded within seemingly simple images and their role in shaping societal consciousness.