Charles Philippe (Charles X.) at Age Six with his Sister Clotilde at Age Four, with goats 1767

Curator: Isn't it charming? This is Jacques Firmin Beauvarlet's print, "Charles Philippe (Charles X.) at Age Six with his Sister Clotilde at Age Four, with goats." Look at how the kids are riding the goats! Editor: It has a delicate, almost dreamlike quality, doesn't it? The landscape is soft, yet those little figures are so meticulously rendered. Curator: Beauvarlet was a master of engraving, and here he's captured the innocence and privilege of childhood, placing the young royals in an idyllic setting. The goat, of course, often symbolizes abundance and prosperity. Editor: And obedience, too. The goat carries them, like a good servant. It's fascinating how Beauvarlet combines these seemingly contrasting ideas of natural innocence and social structure. Those goats, symbols of bounty, are literally burdened by royalty. Curator: It is quite the statement! The careful detail, the symbolism, all crafted to present a certain image. Editor: Images that spoke volumes then, and continue to resonate now. The weight of expectation, even in childhood.