Kinderspelen 1822 - 1849

Alexander Cranendoncq created "Kinderspelen," or "Children's Games," a print now held at the Rijksmuseum, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. This charming tableau offers us a glimpse into the past, showing children engaged in various games. The scenes range from riding in a horse-drawn carriage to playing with balloons, each capturing a moment of youthful innocence and joy. But let's consider this a bit more deeply. Who had the privilege to play, and who was excluded? Were these games equally accessible to children of all social classes? The verses accompanying each image offer subtle moral lessons, reflecting the didactic approach often taken towards children in this era. It’s tempting to romanticize these scenes of childhood. But it's also important to acknowledge the complexities and inequalities that existed in the society that shaped them, and to ask ourselves, whose childhoods are being represented here, and whose are missing? Cranendoncq's "Kinderspelen" invites us to reflect on both the timelessness of play and the historical forces that shape children's lives.