Girl and Boy c. 18th century

Editor: Ferdinand Kobell’s etching, “Girl and Boy,” captures a tender moment. I’m struck by the contrast between the rough, almost chaotic lines of the landscape and the softness of the figures. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s interesting to consider Kobell's image within the context of 18th-century social structures. How might this depiction of childhood innocence serve to reinforce or perhaps subtly critique contemporary ideals of domesticity and gender roles? Editor: That makes me think about how different the roles of women are today, and what hasn’t changed. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It allows us to recognize the artwork as an active participant in the cultural dialogues of its time.