Lying boy 

This delicate pencil sketch of a child is by Marie Ellenrieder, a significant female artist working in the early 19th century. Ellenrieder defied societal norms to pursue her artistic ambitions. As a woman in this era, she navigated a world where art was largely a male domain. The sketch offers a glimpse into the intimate spaces of childhood. The androgynous figure of the lying boy, rendered with soft lines, evokes a sense of vulnerability and introspection. The child's posture, with his head resting on his arms, conveys a mood of contemplation or perhaps quiet resignation. Ellenrieder’s choice to depict such a tender scene reflects the changing attitudes towards childhood during the Romantic era. Childhood came to be seen as a time of innocence and emotional depth, worthy of artistic exploration. This sketch, with its gentle portrayal of a child in repose, invites us to reflect on the universal experiences of vulnerability.