Het dierenrijk, o jeugd! is uw beschouwing waard, / Waar vindt gij twee gelijk, van elk geslacht op aard? / Niet één is ooit van Hem, die boven woont vergeten. / Maar de allerschepselen Heer geeft allen ruim te eeten 1828 - 1853

This print, made by Broese & Comp. in the Netherlands, presents an array of animals, each paired with a short verse. The image offers insights into the cultural values and understanding of the natural world prevalent at the time. Consider the way the print juxtaposes familiar creatures, like bees and swans, with the exotic, such as a polar bear and cockatoo. This arrangement reflects the expanding world of Dutch trade and exploration, bringing distant lands and their inhabitants into the public's imagination. The verses accompanying each animal, however, reveal a moralizing impulse, turning the natural world into a source of lessons for the youth. Are we seeing an attempt to instill specific virtues or attitudes? To truly understand this print, we can look at the historical context of Dutch printmaking, the rise of natural history as a popular subject, and the role of education in shaping societal values. By doing so, we can begin to grasp the complex interplay between art, science, and social instruction.