Vioolspelend kind c. 1650

Gesina ter Borch, a Dutch artist working in the 17th century, created this watercolor of a child playing the violin. Ter Borch lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of economic prosperity and cultural flourishing in the Netherlands, but despite this progress, the lives of women artists were still constrained by societal expectations. This image shows the complicated relationships between class, gender, and artistic expression in the 17th century. While art education and expression were frequently restricted for women of the time, Ter Borch achieved recognition in a male-dominated sector, using her work to discreetly explore the lives of those around her. The child, dressed in what appears to be upper-class attire, provides insight into the era's social hierarchy. Ter Borch captures a private moment of music education, subtly critiquing the gendered and class-based restrictions of her period, while also creating a personal and emotional piece.