Jongen met een hoepel, van achteren Possibly 1651

Harmen ter Borch created this pen and brown ink drawing of a boy with a hoop in the Netherlands, around 1654. It's a simple image, but it speaks volumes about the culture of childhood in the Dutch Golden Age. Consider the era: the Dutch Republic was a hotbed of trade, art, and new social norms. Ter Borch, from a family of artists, captures a common scene, yet the boy’s turned back makes him anonymous, universal. He’s not a portrait of an individual, but a representation of Dutch youth. The hoop itself is key. Games like this were part of growing up, but also a way kids learned social skills and physical coordination. Ter Borch is reminding us that even leisure activities were part of the social fabric. Understanding this image means looking beyond its surface. What did childhood mean in 17th century Holland? What role did play have in shaping future citizens? These are questions we can explore through historical documents, art criticism, and a deep understanding of the period.