Three Girls Playing at Ball at the Seaside 1885 - 1915

James W. Allen made this print of three young girls playing at ball at the seaside around 1900. It evokes a feeling of youthful innocence and carefree fun. But we should also consider the social context of the image. Seaside holidays were a relatively new phenomenon at the turn of the century, enabled by industrialization and the growth of a middle class with the time and money for leisure. The girls' clothing also tells us something about their social standing. This was a time when childhood was increasingly seen as a special stage of life, particularly for girls from privileged backgrounds who were expected to be innocent and playful. To get a fuller picture of this cultural moment we could examine sources such as period magazines, photographs, and social surveys. Through careful historical analysis, we can begin to understand how Allen's print reflects and reinforces particular social values and expectations.