Intimate portraits 1872

Alfred Dehodencq, active in the mid-19th century, created this oil on canvas painting, "Intimate portraits", which captures a private moment of childhood. During this period, portrayals of children often served a didactic purpose, or were sentimental. Dehodencq instead presents a tender view of the domestic sphere. We see three children gathered around a table, focused on the act of drawing. The details of their clothing and the presence of art supplies imply a middle-class background, a class that was rising in prominence at the time. The arrangement and focus on the children's interactions suggests a modern sensibility, different from the formal portraiture of previous generations. Dehodencq seems more interested in capturing a fleeting moment of everyday life and the relationships between the children. This emphasis on intimacy and the inner lives of his subjects reflects broader shifts in 19th-century society, towards valuing sentiment and domesticity. Ultimately, this artwork stands as an intimate and affecting window into childhood, inviting us to reflect on our own memories of growing up.