Interior with Three Boys and a Dog c. 1813

This is Sir David Wilkie’s etching, Interior with Three Boys and a Dog. Wilkie was a Scottish painter, known especially for his genre scenes: depictions of everyday life, often of the working class. Here, three boys and a dog are gathered in an interior setting. The scene offers a glimpse into the lives of those who often go unrepresented in fine art. The details of the interior hint at the family's economic status, with simple furnishings and a sense of lived-in clutter. Wilkie’s intimate composition and attention to the mundane details of daily life, capture a sense of immediacy. In his time, Wilkie distinguished himself by developing an artistic interest in local stories and feelings. The scene evokes questions about social class, childhood, and the simple joys of life that transcend societal boundaries.