Drie kinderen in het riet 1887 - 1916

"Drie kinderen in het riet" or "Three children in the reeds" is a pen drawing on paper by Willem Pothast. Pothast, who was working in the Netherlands at the turn of the century, was known for his depictions of children, often in domestic or recreational scenes. In this drawing, we see three children interacting in a natural setting. They stand amongst tall reeds, their attention focused on something in the water, or perhaps on each other. The scene evokes a sense of youthful innocence and curiosity. Consider the cultural context: childhood was being reconceptualized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. No longer seen as miniature adults, children became figures of innocence, objects of sentimental affection, and symbols of national futures. Pothast’s work taps into this sentimental vision. What do you feel as you gaze upon this image of childhood? How does it reflect or perhaps depart from your own experiences and memories?