Papierbehangsel met decor van spelende kinderen en honden c. 1855 - 1906

Editor: Here we have, "Papierbehangsel met decor van spelende kinderen en honden", or Wallpaper with Playing Children and Dogs, made sometime between 1855 and 1906 by Benedetto Pastorini. It's a print on paper, and I'm struck by the whimsical, almost idyllic scene. What kind of statement do you think a wallpaper like this was trying to make? Curator: Considering the socio-political context, it’s less about a ‘statement’ and more about aspiration. Wallpapers like this became increasingly popular among the burgeoning middle class who sought to emulate the aristocracy. Instead of expensive hand-painted murals or tapestries, they could acquire a mass-produced ‘artwork’ that visually echoed those opulent lifestyles. Note how the idyllic scene idealizes leisure and carefree childhood, something becoming increasingly valued but still out of reach for many. Do you think that changes how we see this artwork? Editor: It definitely adds a layer of complexity. It's not just decorative; it's a form of social climbing, a display of newly acquired status. The mass-produced nature makes it accessible, yet it's still signaling wealth and refinement. Curator: Exactly. And the theme of playful children contributes to that image of a comfortable domestic life, signifying stability and a focus on the family unit. It creates a kind of aspirational environment for a particular type of homeowner and reinforces idealized norms about childhood during the Industrial era. What do you notice about how gender roles might play out here? Editor: Hmmm… that’s interesting. You know, I assumed that the print celebrated a vision of childhood, not gender. Curator: And it can be both, right? The visual composition is staged and intended to appeal to the targeted class. What are some closing thoughts? Editor: I didn't realize wallpaper could be so telling about societal aspirations and the complex ways people perform identities! Curator: Absolutely. It reflects a wider culture, and demonstrates how the domestic sphere became a key site for displaying and negotiating social status.