Meisje duwt een jongen in een slee 1836 - 1915

Johannes Engel Masurel created this watercolor titled "Girl Pushing a Boy in a Sled", though the exact date is unknown. The image offers insight into the everyday lives of children in the Netherlands during the 19th century. The clothing and wooden shoes worn by the children suggest they come from a working-class background. The bare background could indicate a frozen canal or snow-covered field, reflecting the country’s geography and climate. Dutch art of this period often depicted scenes of daily life, reflecting a growing interest in realism and the lives of ordinary people. Artists often worked to portray the unique cultural identity of the Netherlands. By examining historical documents, such as old photographs, personal letters, and municipal archives, we can understand how this seemingly simple image of children playing tells a larger story about Dutch society, its values, and its cultural identity.