Children and Dog 1885

Curator: This is an anonymous work titled "Children and Dog," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought is innocence and simplicity; it's rendered with such delicate lines. What can you tell me about its making? Curator: Given the fineness of the lines, this appears to be an etching, which means the process likely involved coating a metal plate with wax, drawing into it, and then using acid to bite the lines into the metal for printing. Editor: The dog gazing up at the flowers offered by the child evokes faithfulness, an emblem of domestic virtue. Curator: And the attire of the children suggests a certain social class, maybe hinting at the labor and production of textiles in the household. Editor: Or perhaps just the quotidian realities of childhood, elevated through the timeless symbols of nature and companionship. Curator: It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple images are complex products of their time. Editor: Indeed, a lovely glimpse into childhood ideals and associations.