Het kind en de schaar 1778 - 1785

Noach van der Meer II created this etching, "The Child and the Scissors," sometime in the 18th century. The Dutch Republic was a major cultural and economic force, but it also rigidly structured society around class and gender roles. Here, a child kneels on an ornate rug, holding a pair of scissors while his hat lies discarded nearby. A woman, presumably his mother, enters the room, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. The setting—a well-appointed room—suggests a life of privilege, yet the narrative hints at a transgression. The scissors, a tool of domesticity, become a symbol of childhood mischief, momentarily disrupting the order of the household. Consider how the expectations of gender and class play out in this domestic drama. What rules will be imposed, and what will this child learn about his place in the world? This image captures a fleeting moment, rich with the tensions of upbringing and social conditioning.