Vier scènes met lezende mensen 1843 - 1855

"Vier scènes met lezende mensen" (Four scenes with reading people) is a series of four illustrations by Henry Valentin. Created between 1843 and 1855, the black and white woodcuts depict different scenes of people reading in various settings. The series explores the act of reading in a humorous way, portraying characters engrossed in books, from a man reading in bed to a woman reading in a crowded room. The illustrations highlight the social significance of reading during the 19th century. Each scene is presented with a caption describing the context, making the work a social commentary on the habits of readers.