Vader met twee kinderen 1777 - 1779

Pieter de Mare created this sketch titled 'Father with two children', around the late 18th century in the Netherlands. During this time, Dutch society was undergoing significant social and economic changes, and ideas about family and domestic life were evolving. The drawing depicts a father figure carrying one child while another walks beside him. It offers a glimpse into the intimate, everyday life of a family. In the 1700s, traditional gender roles dictated that fathers were primarily responsible for providing for the family, while mothers took care of the household and children. However, this image hints at a more involved paternal role, showing the father actively engaged in childcare. The simplicity of the sketch, with its minimal lines and lack of embellishment, invites viewers to reflect on the universal themes of family, love, and responsibility. It’s a quiet, tender moment captured in ink, a testament to the enduring bonds between parent and child.