Girl with Duck 1893

Alfred Stevens painted "Girl with Duck," sometime in the mid-19th century using oil on canvas. This work presents a layered commentary on gender, class, and the performance of femininity during that era. We see a young girl, adorned in a frilly dress and oversized hat, holding flowers, near a pond with ducks. Meanwhile, a woman in a dark gown sits pensively on a bench in the background. The little girl embodies an idea of innocence, yet her elaborate clothing hints at the social expectations and constraints placed upon women, even at a young age. The mother's solemn demeanor suggests a stark contrast between the innocence of childhood and the complex reality of womanhood. Stevens, who lived through a time of significant social change, captures a society in flux. The painting invites us to reflect on the evolving roles of women and the subtle ways in which societal norms shape individual experiences and expectations.