En dreng smykket med druer og vinløv 1772 - 1777

Hartman Beeken created this roughly 38-centimeter-high sculpture of a boy adorned with grapes and vine leaves. Beeken worked in the 18th century, a period defined by the Enlightenment and its focus on reason, science, and individualism. However, this sculpture invites us to consider the lived experience of childhood during that time, especially boyhood. It was a time when social roles were narrowly defined, and expectations were strong. There is a tension in this work; the boy is seemingly presented as an innocent and pure figure, but the presence of grapes and vine leaves alludes to ancient symbols of fertility, hedonism and intoxication. What does it mean to crown a young boy with such symbols? What does the artist want us to think about themes such as innocence, corruption, and desire? Does the sculpture perpetuate traditional representations of boyhood or develop alternative narratives? How does it make you feel?