Jeu de l'enfance 1827 - 1894

M. Hemeleers-van Houter’s ‘Jeu de l'enfance’ presents us with a quaint depiction of childhood games, printed at an unknown date. The lithograph visualizes a range of activities, from skipping rope to watering plants, all rendered in a simple, almost naïve style. Consider the social framework that might have produced this image. These scenes idealize childhood innocence and domesticity. They prompt us to think about gender roles and expectations within 19th-century European society. The artist's choice to focus solely on girls performing these activities might reflect a desire to reinforce traditional notions of femininity. Look at the arrangement of the figures and the absence of any real context or background. The effect is of a series of isolated moments. Each vignette seems to freeze a particular gesture or action in time. What feelings arise when viewing this curated version of childhood? Does it evoke nostalgia, or a sense of distance from the realities of children's lives during that time? Ultimately, ‘Jeu de l'enfance’ offers us a glimpse into the past while subtly reminding us of the cultural values embedded in even the most seemingly innocent representations.