Bloemen en dieren 1875 - 1903

This color print, "Flowers and Animals No. 131" by Jan de Haan, presents two contrasting scenes of childhood. The upper panel, "May Morning," displays children gathering flowers in a verdant landscape, embodying an idyllic vision of youthful innocence and harmony with nature. Below, "For the Calf Alone" portrays a different kind of encounter, in which children share an apple with a calf. Made in the Netherlands, this print speaks to a burgeoning interest in childhood as a distinct phase of life worthy of attention and moral instruction. Through my work as a social historian, I'd consider the values and expectations about children that are being expressed here. For example, the way the setting is portrayed, the expressions of the children, or the presence of domestic animals. By looking at sources such as educational pamphlets or other children's literature, we can understand the cultural values that framed childhood in the Netherlands and the social role this print may have played.