Zie hier vier en twintig snaken, / Gansch verschillend in hun aard / Kinderen! om u te vermaken, / Zijn ze bij elkaar gegaard 1827 - 1894

This print, "Zie hier vier en twintig snaken," was made by Alexander Cranendoncq in the nineteenth century. It's a hand-colored engraving that presents a grid of twenty-four distinct characters or scenes, each framed in its own small rectangle. The scenes employ a range of muted colors, with blues, reds, and yellows providing a delicate contrast to the underlying structure of lines. Each scene is like a miniature stage setting, complete with figures engaged in various activities. The composition relies on a semiotic system where dress and action indicate social roles. The use of color, though subdued, directs our gaze to essential elements, reinforcing the narrative. The grid format suggests a structuralist approach, organizing society into manageable, classifiable units. This categorization invites us to consider how these images reflect broader cultural codes and hierarchies. While appearing quaint, the print challenges any fixed meanings, prompting ongoing interpretation of social values.