Sitting boy with dog 17 - 1850

Teutwart Schmitson made this pencil drawing of a "Sitting boy with dog" in 1850, in Germany. It is a quiet image that could easily be overlooked, but what does it tell us about the role of children in German society at the time? We might first consider how children were represented in art academies, and whether they were considered serious subjects worthy of study. If not, what social forces might lead an artist like Schmitson to dedicate his time to such a drawing? Was he trying to capture a sentimental view of childhood innocence, or something more? The boy's formal attire and direct gaze suggest that this is not just a casual sketch. By researching the history of childhood in 19th-century Germany, we can better understand the cultural values and expectations that might have shaped this work. The history of the Städel Museum itself might shed light on its role in preserving and displaying works like these. Ultimately, the meaning of this drawing lies not just in its aesthetic qualities, but also in its complex relationship to the society and institutions that produced it.