Three Children c. 1849

Frederic Leighton made this pencil sketch, called 'Three Children', sometime in the mid- to late-19th century, when the British Empire was at its height. The image captures three studies of children, each seemingly caught in a moment of unselfconscious repose or play. During this period, childhood was increasingly idealized as a state of innocence and purity, a far cry from the realities of child labor that were rampant at the time. Leighton, as president of the Royal Academy, was a key figure in shaping artistic tastes and reinforcing social norms. Note the classical poses of the children, reminiscent of antique sculpture. This idealization also served a political purpose, reinforcing notions of British cultural superiority and moral authority. To fully understand this work, one might consult archival materials from the Royal Academy or studies of Victorian-era social history. Art is never made in a vacuum. It always reflects the values and power structures of its time.