Lili formaner dukken 1886

Lorenz Frølich created this print called 'Lili formaner dukken', whose date is unknown, with pen and ink. Frølich, who lived from 1820 to 1908, came of age during a time of significant social change in Europe, including evolving ideas about childhood and gender roles. Here we see a domestic scene where a little girl is seemingly reprimanding her doll. The image can be interpreted as a reflection of the societal expectations placed on young girls. They were often groomed from a young age to become caregivers and mothers. However, there's also a tension in this representation. The girl, in her act of scolding the doll, could be seen as subverting traditional expectations, taking on a role of authority and asserting her agency in a way that was not typically encouraged. The tenderness and gravity with which the child approaches her doll invites us to consider the complex interplay between innocence, imitation, and the internalization of societal norms.