Moeder met twee kinderen c. 1840 - 1861

Jules François created this print called 'Mother with Two Children' sometime in the mid-19th century. This image encapsulates the bourgeois ideal of domesticity that was gaining traction in Europe at the time. François’ print creates meaning through visual codes of sentimentality. The mother, serene and classically beautiful, gazes lovingly at her children, who are cherubic and innocent. Made in France, it reflects a society undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization, where traditional family values were both idealized and challenged. Institutions like the art academy played a crucial role in promoting this kind of imagery, reinforcing social norms around motherhood and the family. To better understand this artwork, we might consult 19th-century etiquette books or domestic advice manuals. Examining the exhibition history of works like this could further reveal how such images functioned within the broader cultural landscape. Ultimately, this print serves as a reminder that the meaning of art is always shaped by its social and institutional context.