Proportiestudie van het lichaam van een kind 1747

Jan Punt created this study of a child's body using etching. Although the artwork is a study of proportion, it is also a reflection of the cultural values and artistic practices prevalent in 18th-century Europe. We see the influence of the Enlightenment, a period marked by reason, science, and the systematic study of the natural world. Child portraiture became increasingly popular among the European elite, reflecting changing attitudes towards childhood and family. These portraits often served to convey messages about lineage and status. The choice to depict a child nude is an echo of classical art which idealized the human form. However, consider the power dynamics inherent in representing a child in this way. The study prompts us to think critically about how innocence and vulnerability can be portrayed, particularly within the context of art commissioned by the wealthy.