Katten går sin vej, når den lille pige laver mad 1864 - 1877

Editor: We're looking at "Katten går sin vej, når den lille pige laver mad," or "The cat goes away when the little girl cooks," by Lorenz Frølich, dating from between 1864 and 1877. It’s a pencil drawing currently held at the SMK. It feels like a snapshot of domestic life, capturing a fleeting moment. What is your perspective on this work? Curator: This seemingly simple domestic scene offers a glimpse into the values and social constructions of childhood in the late 19th century. Consider the role of genre painting at this time. It often served to reinforce middle-class ideals about family, home, and gender roles. Editor: So, it's more than just a cute picture of a little girl? Curator: Precisely. How does the image reinforce or perhaps even challenge these norms? Think about what's happening here: a young girl engaged in a domestic activity, “playing” house, perhaps mirroring the expected role of women. It can be considered to socialize women in particular societal positions. Editor: I see your point. The little girl is doing everything around this idea of making food or acting as caretaker and so the cat removes itself. So the cat in the title "The cat goes away when the little girl cooks." Curator: Absolutely. Consider how the details—her bare feet, the simple clothes, the cluttered table—contribute to the image's sense of realism, a popular artistic movement during this period. These details ground the scene in a specific time and social context. We get hints to what might have been typical even down to posture, gesture and body language that helps inform us. Editor: That’s interesting. I initially saw it as just a charming scene, but now I recognize how the artist's hand captured, perhaps unknowingly, social dynamics. Curator: And it is in those moments, seemingly captured unknowingly that allows such depth into understanding. Art gives hints to a variety of stories that expand more then one layer in society. It lets you explore the social implications that transcend the surface beauty of the art.