Al wat gy hier beschouwt, ô jeugd! / Streelt het uw oog, 't belet geen deugd. / Beschouw hier eerst drie nutte zaaken, / En laat de vierde uw' geest vermaaken 1831 - 1854

This undated print by Erve H. Rynders, currently held at the Rijksmuseum, offers us a glimpse into the values and pastimes of the Dutch youth. The print is divided into four scenes, each accompanied by a rhyming verse. In the first three scenes, the youth observe rural scenes, encountering a farmer with his cows, an agricultural worker plowing a field, and a man carrying poultry. The fourth is of children playing near a canal. The artist’s inscription suggests these scenes are not merely for visual pleasure, but for moral instruction, directing the youth to "consider first three useful things, and let the fourth delight your spirit." These images reflect the period’s emphasis on the importance of moral education and social responsibility. By showcasing the virtues of rural labor, the print implicitly encourages young viewers to embrace hard work. The final scene of children playing offers a moment of levity, showing a scene of childhood freedom. The text below the images tells us that the print was produced by a bookseller. This artwork, in its own way, provides a window into how societal values were carefully imparted to the next generation, inviting us to reflect on our own upbringing.