Kinderspelen 1765 - 1806

Johann David Schleuen created this piece, ‘Kinderspelen’, using etching, sometime in the 18th century. The composition, divided into four distinct quadrants, presents a tableau of children at play. Schleuen's use of line is precise, delineating the figures and their activities with clarity. Each section offers a vignette—from children mimicking adult social rituals with refined grace, to engaging in more active games, their gestures animated and full of life. The subtle gradations achieved through the etching technique lend a sense of depth, enhancing the narrative quality of each scene. The quadrants serve as individual frames, yet collectively, they explore the performative aspects of childhood, mirroring social behaviours and interactions. Consider the crisp lines and structured composition; Schleuen uses these elements to subtly examine the structured world that children are born into, a world they both inhabit and playfully recreate. It’s a structured vision of youthful innocence, viewed through the lens of societal expectations and the codes of conduct.