Pap etende jongen, met poes 1790 - 1852

Pieter Christoffel Wonder made this sanguine drawing, titled 'Boy Eating Pap, with Cat,' in the Netherlands, likely in the first half of the 19th century. It depicts a humble scene: a young boy, simply dressed, focused on his meal while a cat looks on, hoping for a share. In its focus on the everyday lives of ordinary people, the drawing aligns with a broader trend in Dutch art of the time, when there was a growing interest in naturalism. Wonder was a versatile artist, but portraits were his specialty. This intimate depiction of the boy connects to the rising popularity of genre painting during the period; the rise of a middle class created a demand for art that reflected their own lives and values. Historical records and studies of Dutch society during this period can help us understand the social context in which Wonder created his work. By analyzing the social and institutional context of the artwork, we get a better understanding of its historical significance.