Wijzende jongen en een wandelend meisje c. 1840 - 1860

Charles Rochussen made this pencil drawing, *Wijzende jongen en een wandelend meisje*, which translates to 'Pointing Boy and a Walking Girl', capturing a seemingly candid moment. Rochussen was a Dutch painter, illustrator, and printmaker who lived through a time of significant social and political change in the Netherlands, including the rise of industrialization and urbanization. The sketch provides a glimpse into the gendered expectations of childhood in the 19th century. Note the difference in attire and activity between the two children: the girl, in her ornate bonnet and dress, is walking while the boy stands still and points. The boy’s gesture is active while the girl appears to be constrained by her attire. Rochussen does not overtly critique these conventions. What does it mean to see the world filtered through the eyes of children shaped by such constructs? And how does their lived experience challenge or reinforce them? While the sketch is simple, it encourages us to reflect on the subtle ways societal norms are communicated.