Twee meisjes met een hond en een konijn 1832

This print of two girls with a dog and a rabbit was made by Louis Thomas Bardel in the first half of the 19th century. The scene invites us to consider the visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations of childhood in 19th-century Europe. While appearing idyllic, such images also speak to the social structures of the time, and the romanticization of childhood amongst the emerging middle classes. The girls’ clothing and carefully staged interaction with the animals suggests the influence of social norms about innocence and domesticity. The presence of pets, then as now, also signifies a certain level of economic comfort. As art historians, we rely on archival sources, such as fashion plates, household inventories, and children's literature to provide a better understanding of these kinds of cultural norms.