Moeder kleedt haar zoon aan 1852 - 1890

Willem Linnig the Younger made this etching, ‘Moeder kleedt haar zoon aan’, in the late 19th century. It depicts a mother dressing her son, a seemingly simple domestic scene, yet it offers a glimpse into the era's social fabric. Linnig was from Belgium, a country undergoing rapid industrialization. This print, with its intimate portrayal of family life, reflects the values of the emerging middle class. The act of dressing a child was more than a routine, it was a symbol of care, affection, and social responsibility, which were all important bourgeois virtues. The mother's attire and the boy's clothing suggest a certain level of economic comfort. The setting, possibly a garden or park, indicates leisure time, a luxury afforded by the burgeoning economy. The Rijksmuseum, where this print resides, acquired it to preserve and display aspects of the past. By studying such artworks, along with historical documents and social commentaries, we gain insight into the lives, values, and societal structures of the past. Art then becomes a window into history, reflecting its social context.