Gerrit en Cornelis Schellinger als kind 1672

Gesina ter Borch created this watercolor drawing, titled "Gerrit en Cornelis Schellinger als kind," sometime in the mid-17th century. Ter Borch, a woman artist in the Dutch Golden Age, offers us an intimate look into the domestic sphere, a realm often associated with women's experiences. Here, we see a child, presumably Gerrit, standing with scissors in hand, amidst scattered leaves, while an infant, Cornelis, lies in a cradle. The scene is rich with details that speak to the family's status and values. Consider the symbolism embedded in the act of cutting, perhaps representing change, transition, or even the shaping of identity. The leaves strewn across the floor might evoke the transient nature of childhood. What strikes me most is the emotional resonance of this quiet domestic scene. Ter Borch gives us a glimpse into the complexities of family dynamics and the subtle ways in which identities are formed within the domestic space. The drawing invites us to reflect on our own experiences of childhood, memory, and the shaping forces of family.