Wintervermaken 1865 - 1875

George Lodewijk Funke created "Wintervermaken", or "Winter Amusements" in Dutch, which offers us a glimpse into the idyllic pastimes of children during winter. This print, created in Amsterdam during a time of significant social change, presents a series of vignettes showing children engaged in seasonal activities. In each scene we see children playing together, ice skating, building a snowman, and drinking warm milk indoors. This artwork evokes a sense of nostalgia for simpler times, but it’s important to note that these scenes likely reflect the experiences of middle to upper-class children, whose families had the means to engage in leisure activities during the winter months. Funke's print not only captures the charm of winter, but invites us to consider the societal structures that shape childhood experiences. It reminds us that leisure and play are often intertwined with questions of class and privilege, offering a window into a world where the harsh realities of winter could be softened by warmth, community, and shared enjoyment.