Child Drawing or Writing Possibly 1649

Harmen ter Borch created this small drawing of a child sometime in the mid-17th century. It shows a young child sitting on a chair, using a small box as a footstool, bent over what looks like a writing slate. During the Dutch Golden Age, childhood was often depicted through a lens that reflected the values and aspirations of the time, with themes of innocence and education intertwined with social expectations. Here, the child is portrayed in a moment of quiet concentration, possibly engaged in learning to write or draw, which was an activity associated with privilege. The child is completely consumed with this newfound skill. This intimacy of the child's experience invites us to reflect on the emotional landscape of childhood, while also reminding us of the societal structures that shape these early experiences. While seemingly simple, this drawing offers a glimpse into the complex interplay of personal development and cultural norms.