De nieuwe Sint Nicolaas-prent. 1761 - 1804

Curator: Here we have "De nieuwe Sint Nicolaas-prent," a print dating back to somewhere between 1761 and 1804, from the studio of Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum. What’s your first impression? Editor: Stark! It reminds me of a medieval woodcut—lots of strong lines, decorative borders. You've got Saint Nicholas large on horseback, overseeing a servant, all in almost a folk-art style, but still incredibly detailed. It feels like a celebration, but the lines feel...rough. Intentionally rough? Curator: That "roughness" actually serves a purpose. It suggests this was created for wide distribution, intended for a popular audience. Notice how St. Nicholas is portrayed – almost like a nobleman, quite unlike later depictions. This image tells us about how the figure of St. Nicholas was being constructed and circulated in Dutch society. It is not the kindly grandpa-like depiction that might now spring to mind. Editor: So, it’s like visual propaganda almost. Is it meant to make Saint Nick look more... powerful and awe-inspiring to children? I like that it combines visual information, such as St Nick and his assistant against the Dutch horizon, and words - something close to song or rhyme. It's all so didactic, too, almost...humorous? I love the inclusion of all the goodies that are promised: sweets, cakes, and dolls! Is the intent here about influencing the public’s perception of values and, in a clever commercial move, getting the children acquainted with desired goods? Curator: Exactly. And that commercial aspect is important. Prints like these were increasingly circulated and marketed. And this brings up the question about who would the publishers have had in mind to promote the purchasing of prints like these. Was there an existing middle class that could now more freely purchase goods like this? What are your feelings when knowing of this piece’s role within that cultural sphere? Editor: Now I am noticing that even though the materials might seem ‘rough’ this piece presents great detail; that combination of intentionality is interesting, it's like the makers didn’t want to take themselves too seriously even though their ultimate aim was perhaps not to only delight and celebrate Saint Nicolas, but to educate, moralize and instill a sense of disciplined childhood! Well I see more to the image now than initially met the eye. Curator: Indeed! The New Saint Nicholas Print not only enchants but offers us a fascinating lens through which to examine the shifting values and evolving commercial landscape of the 18th century Netherlands.