Fotoreproducties van twee schetsen van een meisje door Albert Hendschel before 1870

These reproductions of two sketches of a girl, by Theodor Huth, offer a glimpse into the visual culture and childhood imagery of the time. Rendered with delicate lines, the sketches capture fleeting moments of a young girl's life. In one, she is depicted holding a doll, perhaps reflecting the gendered expectations of nurturing and domesticity that were often imposed on young girls. In the other she is seated. The innocence of youth is palpable, yet it's impossible to ignore the societal constructs that shape her identity from such a tender age. These sketches invite us to reflect on the personal and political dimensions of childhood, while prompting us to consider the ways in which societal norms and expectations have shifted over time.