Jong kind met slab 1895

This delicate image titled 'Jong kind met slab' is a drawing by F. Rassart. Historically, portraiture has often been the domain of the elite, a way to preserve their image and status. But here, we see a portrait of a young child, perhaps suggesting a shift towards valuing the individual experiences of youth and the domestic sphere. The baby's gaze meets ours directly, a simple white bib around its neck. The identity of this child is unknown to us, which opens the door to questions around representation and visibility. What does it mean to create an artwork of an anonymous child? Consider the labor, care, and intimacy involved in creating a portrait, and the societal values we attach to youth and innocence. This drawing invites us to reflect on these themes, and to contemplate the personal stories embedded in the faces we encounter.