A Boy and Girl Playing, Allegory of Spring? 1740 - 1800

Michiel Emanuel Shee made this marble sculpture of two children in the first half of the 18th century. The rosy-cheeked children could be an allegory for spring, a popular theme in the art of this period. In 18th-century Europe, a renewed interest in classical antiquity influenced art in a big way. Sculptures like this one reflected the revival of classical styles and a focus on harmony and beauty. Artists often looked to ancient Greek and Roman art for inspiration, and academies played a key role in shaping artistic taste. This work, depicting children, taps into the era’s evolving ideas about childhood as a distinct phase of life, separate from adulthood. We can use historical sources like letters, diaries, and fashion trends to deepen our knowledge of the context in which this sculpture was made. This helps us to understand the place of art within a culture.