Two Children with Dog 1883

Kate Greenaway made this pencil on paper drawing, "Two Children with Dog," and it is now held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Living in Victorian England, Greenaway’s successful career as an illustrator of children’s books allowed her to challenge gendered expectations. In this piece, we see her characteristic aesthetic. Here, two children, both with gentle features, are depicted with a small dog. The girl, holding flowers, wears a long dress, while the boy is in a suit and hat, subtly reflecting the era's distinct gender roles. The children's clothing evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of earlier periods, creating an idealized vision of childhood. Greenaway, a product of the Arts and Crafts movement, found beauty in simplicity and nature. Her works celebrated innocence and escape. This drawing, with its delicate lines and soft composition, embodies her vision of childhood as a harmonious and idyllic state, reflecting a longing for a simpler, more innocent time.