Groep kinderen 1898 - 1946

Abraham de Miranda made this print of a group of children, with an unknown date, using lithography. The composition is just teeming with figures, a whole crowd jostling for space. It's like looking at a snapshot of a bustling playground. The artist really captures the energy and chaos of childhood, with this frenetic mark making in black and white. I’m drawn to the faces, especially the big grinning one at the top. It's a bit spooky, but also kind of playful, like a mask. The artist has used lithography to build up areas of tone, using layers of marks to make some parts darker and denser than others. This adds a real depth and richness to the image, as if the figures are emerging from the shadows. I'm reminded of Paula Rego, another artist who isn't afraid to explore the darker side of childhood. There is always a bit of ambiguity, which allows us to bring our own experiences to the work.