Jonge vrouw en kind in voorjaarskleren 1832 1832

Elisabeth Barbara Schmetterling created this print in 1832, depicting a young woman and child in spring attire. The artwork emerged during a period of significant social change in Europe, including shifting gender roles and evolving notions of childhood. The print provides a glimpse into the visual culture of the time. The woman’s dress, with its exaggerated sleeves and delicate details, reflects the emphasis on feminine beauty and domesticity. The child's attire, while fashionable, also hints at the ways in which children were viewed as miniature adults, their clothing mirroring that of their elders. "The fashion of dress is known to be a subject of great importance to the generality of the fair sex" said Madame Celnart in "The Whole Art of Dress". Schmetterling's print not only showcases fashion but also subtly reflects the societal expectations and aspirations of the era. It invites us to consider the complex interplay between identity, representation, and the cultural values embedded within the seemingly simple depiction of clothing.