Huilend kind met nap / lachend meisje met pop 1768 - 1796

Pieter de Mare created this engraving, "Crying child with pot / laughing girl with doll," in the late 18th century. During this period, the Dutch Republic was experiencing economic decline and growing social tensions. This print invites us to consider how childhood was idealized and represented. On the left, we see a child contorted in tears, clinging to a feeding pot. On the right, a girl beams, clutching a doll and adorned with finery, including a feathered hat. The stark contrast speaks volumes about the era's perceptions of childhood innocence, gender roles, and class distinctions. While the crying child might represent the realities of infant life, the laughing girl embodies a vision of privileged youth, complete with fashionable attire. These images are emotionally evocative, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences and memories of childhood. Does it challenge or reinforce traditional representations of children? Consider, too, how these images might have been viewed and interpreted differently based on one's social standing. They offer a glimpse into the emotional landscape of childhood and the broader social values of the time.