Slapend kind met konijnen 1859 - 1927

August Allebé created this lithograph, “Slapend kind met konijnen,” or “Sleeping child with rabbits,” sometime in the 19th century. In the Netherlands, the 19th century saw the rise of the bourgeoisie. Dutch art academies of the time produced many portraits of bourgeois families. Here, though, we see a child who may be of lower social standing, with bare feet and simple clothing. The lithograph seems to romanticize rural life, setting up a contrast with the increasingly industrialized urban sphere. The artist is likely commenting on the growth of Dutch cities and wealth, perhaps even critiquing this move away from the Dutch countryside. The inclusion of the rabbits enhances the image’s pastoral themes. To understand the image better, we could look into the exhibition history of lithographs in the Netherlands. We could also research Dutch portrayals of children and animals during the period. By examining the image’s social and institutional context, we are better able to understand its cultural meaning.