Blowing Bubbles 1700 - 1722

Pieter van der Werff painted ‘Blowing Bubbles’ during the late 17th or early 18th century, a period of immense social and political change in Europe. The painting depicts a woman, presumably a mother, with two children in a garden setting. One child is breastfeeding while the other is occupied with blowing bubbles. In the context of the Dutch Golden Age, this painting reflects an idealized vision of domesticity and motherhood. The woman, adorned in classical-style garments, represents both maternal care and a connection to historical virtue. Her role as the center of the domestic sphere emphasizes the value placed on women as nurturers and caregivers within the family unit. The act of blowing bubbles symbolizes the fleeting nature of life, a common theme in Dutch art, reminding us of life’s transience and the importance of cherishing the present. The painting invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between gender roles, familial duty, and the ephemeral beauty of existence.