Rustend kindermeisje met twee kinderen op het strand 1874 - 1927

Johan Antonie de Jonge created this watercolor of a nursemaid and children on the beach around the turn of the 20th century. It captures a moment of leisure and tranquility, but it also speaks to the social structures of the time. The clothing and activities depicted here, such as relaxing on the beach, point to a life of privilege and leisure enjoyed by the upper classes in the Netherlands at the time. The presence of a nursemaid highlights the division of labor within wealthy households, where childcare was often delegated to hired help. The image presents an idealized view of childhood and domestic life. It omits the labor, economic hardship, and social inequalities that characterized Dutch society. To fully understand this image, we need to consider the social and economic context in which it was created. Archival records, census data, and historical accounts can shed light on the lives of both the privileged families and the working-class individuals who made their lifestyle possible.