Cock-a-doodle-do, it’s seven o’clock 

Curator: Here we have "Cock-a-doodle-do, it’s seven o’clock" by Carl Larsson. Editor: It has such a calm and delicate quality. The watercolor is so translucent; you can see the texture of the paper underneath. It feels very intimate. Curator: Yes, Larsson worked extensively with watercolor and embraced plein-air techniques, aligning him with the broader Impressionist movement even though he explored varied styles like Symbolism and Northern Renaissance aesthetics. I'm fascinated by his attention to depicting the everyday rituals of domestic life, in this case, likely one of his children waking. Think of how this departs from earlier approaches, elevating the intimate space of childhood. Editor: The domestic sphere indeed—the wallpaper, the bed linens. One starts to consider the production of these materials. Who wove that quilt? Who designed the wallpaper print, and what was the social status of the person who could afford such comforts? It certainly wasn't mass produced like something from Ikea today, so that's important for understanding the class. Curator: Exactly! And let’s not overlook the symbolic dimensions. Notice the painting of the cityscape within the image, hinting at the relationship between the domestic sphere and the urban environment. There's a bird perched by the window—freedom calling from beyond those patterned walls. Larsson consistently used his art to define a visual culture of Swedishness tied closely with modern social ideas and political neutrality. Editor: Those touches are wonderful! I wonder, who was the intended audience for this piece? Was this a commission for an aristocratic patron, or was it designed for wider dissemination through printmaking to support the notion of a stable bourgeois family in a changing political landscape? Curator: Considering the role Larsson's works later had in popularizing idealized family imagery, the painting and illustrations served more public educational and aspirational goals during times of shifting social conventions than the depiction of high class environments.. The circulation of prints allowed his vision of the home to penetrate more widely. Editor: That really transforms how one perceives it, knowing it has shaped perceptions beyond a single viewer in a gallery. This shifts how the material and the labour relates to audience. Curator: Indeed. Examining “Cock-a-doodle-do” makes us aware of the powerful connection between artistic practice, mass production, and the forging of social ideals through image making. Editor: Absolutely. Reflecting on Larsson’s artistic intention reveals the significance that something simple like depicting someone waking up has on shaping society.