Hoofd van een kind, naar rechts gekeerd c. 1766

Pierre Charles Ingouf created this print of a child's head in the late 18th century, a time when ideas about childhood were evolving. This image, made after a drawing by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, reflects the growing cultural interest in childhood innocence and sentimentality. Consider the social context: France, on the cusp of revolution, was a society deeply divided by class. Artists like Greuze catered to the tastes of the bourgeoisie, who valued displays of virtue and family affection. Prints like this, circulated widely, played a role in shaping those values. The rise of the art market and the increasing importance of public exhibitions influenced what artists produced and how it was consumed. Understanding this print requires looking at the historical forces that shaped its creation and reception. Researching the art market, the popularity of sentimental art, and the social role of the bourgeoisie will give us a fuller picture of its meaning. After all, art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.