The young boy with the stable-lantern 1824

This is “The Young Boy with the Stable-Lantern,” by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. It was made sometime between the late 18th and mid-19th century, against a backdrop of industrial change that began to reshape the Austrian countryside. In this painting, Waldmüller offers us an intimate portrait of a young working-class boy, illuminating the space around him. He is captured in a moment of quiet contemplation, his gaze directed towards the viewer. The lantern, itself a symbol of guidance and hope, casts light on the boy's face, revealing a sense of pride and self-reliance. Waldmüller often focused on scenes of everyday life, which served to both ennoble and sentimentalize the laboring classes. However, this focus also subtly acknowledged their growing presence in a changing social landscape. Through the image of the boy and his lantern, Waldmüller captures a tender moment amidst social transformation.