Kinderspelen 1822 - 1849

I.I. de Lanier created this print called Kinderspelen using an engraving technique. The composition is structured as a series of vignettes, each depicting children engaged in different activities, arranged in neat rows. The lines are clean and precise, creating a sense of order and clarity. These visual elements invite us to consider the work's structure. How do these structured games reflect broader cultural values and norms? The formal arrangement of the scenes suggests a systematic view of childhood, almost as if categorizing different aspects of youthful activity. The use of line and the orderly arrangement of these scenes could be interpreted as imposing a certain structure onto the otherwise chaotic nature of play, reflecting a desire to codify or control the experience of childhood. This formal approach encourages us to question how society constructs and understands the experience of youth.