Kinderbal 1824 - 1894

Charles Rochussen created this graphite drawing, titled Kinderbal, which translates to Children's Ball, capturing a scene from 19th century Netherlands. Rochussen, working in a time of significant social change, seems interested in the performance of social etiquette. The drawing depicts a gathering of children, their attire and posture suggesting a formal event. While it's a charming scene, there is a sense of the children being groomed into adulthood, a reflection of the rigid social structures of the time. The boys are dressed in suits and the girls are in elaborate dresses. A server in the background offers refreshments. The composition is reminiscent of a staged performance. We might consider the limited roles available to women at the time, and how these children are actively being trained in the social graces. The artist is inviting us to reflect on childhood, class, and the performance of identity.