Meisje met een groep kalkoenen 1851 - 1865

Jean-Pierre Moynet created “Girl with a Group of Turkeys,” using stone lithography during a period where rural life was increasingly romanticized. This artwork presents a young girl surrounded by a flock of turkeys. In 19th-century art, children, especially girls, were often depicted as symbols of innocence and purity, embodying societal ideals of domesticity and moral virtue. Moynet situates this girl in a pastoral setting, reinforcing the connection between women, nature, and the traditional roles assigned to them. Yet, looking closely, we can also consider the economic realities of rural life. Was the girl involved in the labor of raising these animals? This image may reflect the complexities of childhood in agricultural communities, where labor and leisure were intertwined. This artwork invites us to consider the diverse roles and experiences of women and children in 19th-century society, highlighting both the idealized representations and the often overlooked realities of their lives.