Familie Neureuther 1843

Eugen Neureuther created this print titled 'Familie Neureuther' using etching, likely in Germany during the mid-19th century. It depicts a family scene with children playing, perhaps portraying the artist’s own family. Looking at the scene, one can consider the rising importance of the nuclear family and childhood in the Biedermeier era. This was a period defined by the growing middle class and their emphasis on domesticity. The detailed rendering of the children's faces and their interaction with toys suggests an intimate and sentimental view of family life. The setting appears to be a comfortable, middle-class interior, indicative of the values and aspirations of the time. To better understand this image, one can look to records and family histories from the period. These resources can reveal more about the social values and institutional structures that influenced Neureuther's work. Doing so helps us to interpret the print not just as a personal portrait, but as a reflection of broader social and cultural trends.