A Costume Design Sketch for a Hat and Three Sketches of Children's Toys 1785 - 1790

This sheet featuring a costume design sketch and children's toys was created by an anonymous artist. The seemingly unrelated objects suggest the drawing may have been part of a larger collection, perhaps from a theater or a wealthy household. Without knowing when and where it was made, it is difficult to say exactly what social and cultural context it reflects. However, we can consider the role of costume design in theater or other forms of entertainment and speculate on the social status of the children who would have played with such toys. The cultural history of childhood studies and the history of entertainment, along with information on costume design and toy manufacturing can help us understand more about this artwork's origins and cultural significance. By examining these sources, we can begin to piece together the social conditions that might have shaped its production.