De raarekiek-kas 1794 - 1804

"De raarekiek-kas," or "The Peepshow Box," is an undated etching by A. Bouwens, now in the Rijksmuseum collection. It invites us into the spectacle of early visual culture through the eyes of children. Peepshows like the one depicted offered viewers a miniature world, a spectacle of exotic lands or biblical stories, all contained within a box. These shows were mobile, brought from town to town, offering entertainment but also a form of education, or perhaps indoctrination. Look closely at the children. What do you see in their faces? Are they lost in wonder, or simply curious? The print's playful spirit belies a complex relationship between knowledge, entertainment, and social class. The children engage with a technology that promises to broaden their horizons, while also subtly reinforcing the boundaries of their world. The charm of this print lies in its suggestion that the act of looking is never neutral. It’s always shaped by our desires, our backgrounds, and the stories we tell ourselves about the world.