Peter and Birdie 1940

Will Barnet created "Peter and Birdie" using lithography. Born in 1911, Barnet lived through a period of immense social and political change. The twentieth century saw shifts in understandings of identity, childhood, and domesticity which influenced the art world. In this intimate scene, a child sits on a bed, engaged with a bird, set in a domestic interior. The portrayal of children in art has historically been shaped by cultural attitudes towards childhood, often veering between sentimental idealization and the acknowledgement of children’s vulnerability. Barnet’s choice to depict this quiet, reflective moment offers a nuanced perspective on the inner world of children, diverging from more traditional representations. How might the interactions with animals shape a young child’s understanding of the world? "Peter and Birdie" speaks to the formative experiences that shape our identities.