Wat Moeder Gans vertelt, doet u deez' plaat aanschouwen, / Hoe Asschepoester met een koningszoon ging trouwen. / En hoe een looze kat, door streken fijn bedacht, / Haar armen meester heeft tot hogen rang gebragt 1848 - 1881

This is a print by Lutkie & Cranenburg, showcasing scenes from popular tales like Cinderella and Puss in Boots. The images echo traditional morality tales, where virtue is rewarded and cunning leads to prosperity. Consider Cinderella’s transformation. The act of dressing, often depicted with a fairy godmother, isn't just about new clothes; it's a potent symbol of rebirth, a shedding of the old self for a new, idealized one. This echoes ancient rituals of initiation, where symbolic death and resurrection mark a transition in status. We see this echoed across cultures, in myths of deities who undergo transformations, mirroring humanity's longing for renewal and transcendence. These narratives, passed down through generations, tap into our collective unconscious, resonating with our deepest hopes and fears. The cyclical nature of these symbols—repeated, reinterpreted, and reimagined—speaks to the enduring power of the human psyche to seek meaning and order in the world. They are not mere illustrations, but mirrors reflecting our shared cultural and psychological inheritance.