Boy Lying on the Ground c. 19th century

Editor: This drawing, "Boy Lying on the Ground" by Alfred Stevens, captures a child in repose. The charcoal feels raw and immediate. What strikes you about it? Curator: The hasty application of charcoal across the paper suggests a rapid process, indicative of a disposable commodity rather than a prized artwork. The image of the child, caught in this unidealized, potentially abject position, complicates notions of childhood innocence. Where does labor fit into this depiction? Editor: Do you mean the labor of the artist, or perhaps the implied labor of the boy, even in rest? Curator: Both. The artist's swift hand, the child's potential future labor… these materials and actions speak volumes about the social fabric of the time. Thanks for that reading!