Meisje met tortelduif 1832

Louis Thomas Bardel created this print titled, *Meisje met tortelduif*, or *Girl with Dove*, in the early 19th century. Here, the girl stands in the immediate foreground holding a dove. Childhood, especially girlhood, was a fraught subject during the early 1800s. Girls were often depicted as symbols of purity and innocence, yet, they were also subject to strict social expectations. The dove in this image might signify peace and gentleness, qualities often associated with ideal femininity. But what does it mean to hold something captive, even gently? The birdcage looms in the background next to an empty chair. The girl is positioned in the center of the image, creating an interesting dynamic between freedom and confinement. This piece raises a poignant question: Are we looking at an image of innocence or an early lesson in the complexities of control?