Meisje schrikt van een ballon c. 1875 - 1925

Jony's drawing, "Meisje schrikt van een ballon," captures a scene of childhood surprise and perhaps a hint of societal expectation. Rendered with ink on paper, the artwork presents a young girl startled by a balloon inflated by a boy. The girl's exaggerated expression and posture embody a sense of vulnerability, while the boy, in his suit, seems to represent a kind of playful authority. Reflecting the gender dynamics of its time, the image raises questions about how young girls are socialized to react with fear or surprise, contrasting with the boy's role as the instigator of the action. "Meisje schrikt van een ballon" offers a glimpse into the subtle ways that gender roles are performed and reinforced from a young age, inviting us to reflect on the emotional landscapes of childhood and the societal scripts that shape them.