La Cueillette Des Fleurs c. 1900

Henri Lebasque captured this scene of children gathering flowers using oil on canvas. Lebasque painted this in the late 19th or early 20th century, a period marked by evolving attitudes toward childhood. The girls in “La Cueillette Des Fleurs” are depicted in a natural setting, engaging in a leisurely activity. Lebasque captures a sense of innocence and freedom, reflecting the changing perceptions of children as beings with unique experiences. There is a move towards more progressive ideals about childhood, yet one might ask if those notions were afforded to all children, regardless of class or race. The loose brushstrokes and the vibrant color palette evoke a fleeting, joyful moment. This artwork invites us to reflect on the cultural construction of childhood and to consider the emotional resonance of these fleeting moments of play and exploration.