Kindervrienden 1903 - 1919

This is "Kindervrienden" by Arie Willem Segboer, a print that captures scenes of childhood in the Netherlands. The images on this sheet are reminiscent of a time when childhood was increasingly viewed as a distinct and innocent phase of life. Yet, these seemingly simple scenes are loaded with social and cultural expectations. Notice the distinct roles assigned to the girls: nurturing, care-giving, and polite interaction. These images present an idyllic, gendered world, where girls are trained to embody virtue and domesticity. "Opitten wil ik wel en pootjes je geven, / Maar 't A B C leer ik nooit van mijn leven." says the caption on the bottom left image. The print reflects the societal emphasis on education for boys, versus domestic skills for girls. Segboer's work invites us to consider the ways in which childhood imagery has historically been used to reinforce societal norms and expectations, and to reflect on our own experiences of growing up.