Jongen met een pet 1859 - 1879

Maurice Bonvoisin created this print of a boy in a cap, sometime around the turn of the 20th century. We see a young boy, dressed neatly in a cap and coat, standing in profile. It's a simple image, but prints like this played an important role in shaping how people saw themselves and others at the time. Prints were relatively affordable, making art accessible to a wider audience. They circulated in magazines and books, influencing popular opinion and taste. In the late 19th century, there was a growing interest in childhood and education. Images of children became increasingly common, reflecting changing social attitudes. Was Bonvoisin trying to evoke the innocence of youth or perhaps commenting on the social expectations placed on young boys? To understand this print better, we might look into the history of childhood in France during this period, exploring educational reforms, social class, and the changing roles of children in society. It’s through this kind of historical research that the social life of this art comes alive.