Ziet hier, ô lieve jeugd! die 't Speelen steeds bemind, / Wat onze konst en vlyt heden aanbied, vind / Gy in deez' print vermaak, dat ge ook niet kunt ontbeeren, / gy kunt het A, B, C, hier speelende uit leeren 1818 - 1828

This alphabet print was made by Johannis Waleson in the Netherlands. It’s an illustrated alphabet designed for children. It’s a pedagogical tool. Each letter corresponds to an image, accompanied by a short descriptive verse. “A” is for ark, “B” is for bridge, “C” for coffee mill. So, what’s the relationship between literacy, commerce, and childhood? Prints like this one weren't just about teaching the alphabet. They were about instilling cultural values and a sense of national identity. The images chosen reflect the daily life and material culture of the Dutch Republic. Even the coffee mill suggests the global trade networks that enriched the Netherlands. We can trace the changing role of images in education by consulting archives of prints and books, as well as school records. We see how art reflects and shapes the values of a society. It also shows us how institutions like schools and museums shape the way we understand the world.