Spelend kind met hond 1525

Barthel Beham etched this image of children playing with a dog in 1525 in Germany. The print, with its round format and focus on classical subjects, takes its cue from Italian Renaissance art. But it also reflects a specific moment in German history, as humanist values, which emphasized human experience and observation, gained traction in intellectual circles. The image is replete with references, from the putti-like children recalling classical sculpture to the Renaissance vase that recalls the importance of trade with Italy. However, it is also closely aligned with a period of significant social and religious upheaval as Martin Luther’s reformation challenged the Catholic Church. To understand the print better, we can examine social histories of the reformation, histories of printmaking, and the artist’s biography. The meaning of art is never fixed, but always contingent on the social and institutional context.