Fontein met twee kinderen 1772 - 1773

Antoine Alexandre Joseph Cardon created this print, "Fountain with two children", using etching. The image presents a fountain with classical motifs, adorned with children, a dog and a goose, which allows us to speculate about the social functions of art in the late 18th century. Made in the Netherlands at the time, we can see the influence of the French Rococo in its frivolous tone. Art in this period was often seen as having a moralising function. The images are designed to delight but also to elevate and educate its viewers. The fountain suggests a civilizing impulse. The children playing atop the fountain, contrasted with the animals, could suggest the role of education in the development of humans. To better understand this etching, we can research Dutch social values in the late 1700s, looking for publications related to social habits, education, and even the role of pets. This allows us to interpret art as a cultural artifact that reflects broader social trends.