De drie wenschen 1828 - 1937

Oehmigke & Riemschnieder created this print titled "De drie wenschen." The artists worked at a time when printed media had a central role in shaping popular imagination, creating narratives around wealth, poverty, and social mobility. In this morality tale, a rich man encounters a beggar and is granted three wishes. Through sequential vignettes, we witness the protagonist make foolish choices, like wishing for a sausage, which leads to conflict and regret. The narrative critiques the traditional representations of wealth as a guaranteed path to happiness, suggesting that true contentment lies elsewhere. The sequential images, typical of the period, mimic early forms of cinema, capturing a desire to see narrative unfold over time. The story prompts us to consider the complex interplay of desire, class, and the elusive nature of fulfillment, reminding us that even the most coveted dreams may not bring us the satisfaction we anticipate.