Een onverbeterlijke deugniet 1876 - 1890

Louis Malteste created this print titled 'Een onverbeterlijke deugniet,' which translates to 'An Incorrigible Rascal,' sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It’s a comic strip of sorts, portraying a young boy named Paul and his various misadventures. At first glance, it's easy to see Paul as simply mischievous. But look closer. The world depicted here is one of strict social norms and expectations, especially for children. Paul, in his ‘rascality,’ seems to resist these norms. Consider the panel where Paul is surrounded by adults dressed as clowns. It seems as though he struggles to fit into their world. Is Paul a rebel, or simply a child who doesn't fit in? The emotional core of this work lies in its portrayal of childhood as a time of both innocence and struggle. It raises questions about how society shapes individuals and what happens when someone doesn’t quite conform.