Two Little Girls with Bonnets 1883

Curator: Here we have "Two Little Girls with Bonnets," a work made in 1883 by Kate Greenaway, part of the collection here at The Art Institute of Chicago. It’s rendered in ink and watercolor on paper. Editor: It's charming, undeniably so. A simple composition, though; almost naive. The two girls are placed somewhat awkwardly, aren't they? But the colors...very muted and delicate. Curator: Greenaway was a key figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, where there was a resurgence of interest in design, illustration, and traditional techniques. She became widely known for her illustrations in children's books and print. Notice the emphasis on detail in their clothing and the idealized setting of the countryside. Editor: Precisely! This ties into Romanticism, as well. There’s that similar idealized view of the world and childhood. The bonnets, large and ornamental, dominate their faces. Are they meant to suggest a sense of innocence and vulnerability? Also, this aesthetic is very specific, right? I wonder if she has something else going on. Curator: Absolutely, and you can find some symbolism within this simplicity. The bonnet is both a fashion accessory and a protective covering, referencing the girls' innocence. Bonnets also represent privacy. Their physical closeness hints at childhood bonds, perhaps mirroring her personal connections and her vision for what childhood should represent to broader audiences. The work invites a longing for a more innocent past. Editor: And what is her style? She captures the shapes well enough but for me her composition is less compelling. Her lines aren't particularly clean or refined. Look at how loosely rendered the grass is, almost impressionistic. Does this contrast invite me into the fantasy, the reverie of this lost innocence you spoke of? Or simply does it lack rigor and structure? Curator: Greenaway tapped into a collective longing for simpler times—the imagery is nostalgic, referencing innocence and purity. Through this she invites viewers to reconsider the cultural value that modern, industrial life puts on children versus her vision. It resonates even today because we are inundated with mass produced and heavily stylized childrens products, in particular. She presents an alternate view. Editor: So ultimately she suggests how culture has impacted or infected our childhood representations and perceptions of innocence. Thank you for pointing those things out; now the visual imperfections speak even louder. Curator: It all informs how we might reconsider our expectations of how the world should work, childhood or otherwise. Editor: A subtle protest through prettiness...quite brilliant, Kate Greenaway!