Twee meisjes en een jongetje 1782 - 1837

Pieter Bartholomeusz Barbiers created this drawing, titled ‘Two Girls and a Boy,’ using pen in gray ink and brush in gray wash. The image shows an intimate scene, but to what extent does it challenge or reinforce the social norms of its time in the Netherlands? The artist, active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, lived during a period of significant social and political upheaval. The Dutch Republic was in decline, and new ideas about citizenship and national identity were emerging. This drawing might depict an idealized vision of domestic life, emphasizing the importance of family and childhood innocence during uncertain times. To truly understand this work, we can look to sources such as the records of art academies, to uncover the artistic conventions of the time. By exploring these resources, we can better understand how art reflects and shapes society.