Dwaasheid van het vertrouwen op almanakken 1782

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print, "Dwaasheid van het vertrouwen op almanakken", during a period when the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason was reshaping European thought. The artwork presents a scene of social gathering where a group of people seem to be engaged in fortune-telling using almanacs. Almanacs were popular during this time and used to predict future events, weather forecasts, and provide astrological advice. Chodowiecki critiques the practice of placing too much trust in such predictions. Through the image we gain insight into the intersection of gender, class, and knowledge during the 18th century. Women, who were often excluded from formal education, turned to alternative sources of knowledge like almanacs. The print also satirizes the upper classes who, despite their social standing, were shown to be gullible and superstitious. As we look closer we see the emotional impact of superstition on individuals and society. It asks us to consider how beliefs and knowledge are constructed and circulated.