Kupidoos afbeeldingen 1806 - 1830

Johan Noman created this print, "Kupidoos afbeeldingen," sometime before his death in 1833. The series of images depicts childhood, and is overlaid with themes of work and play. There is a certain irony in these depictions of childhood which come out of the historical context of 19th century Holland. At this time the Dutch economy relied heavily on child labor, and the romanticization of youth through the figure of 'Cupido' obscures the realities of labor and class. How might this image function if we consider its title? Is it a commentary on the loss of innocence, or is it simply a reinforcement of societal values? The imagery, reminiscent of classical art, adds another layer to this tension. It’s not just an image of children; it’s an idealization, a narrative crafted to evoke emotion and perhaps, to mask a more troubling reality. It's difficult to reconcile the apparent innocence on display with the knowledge of exploitation.