The early modern period was a time of waking up and looking forward instead of focusing on the afterlife as in the middle ages. However particularly in Europe disease was an ever prevalent threat and many children died before the age of ten. Parents may have refrained from becoming too attached to their offspring in case they did not survive to adolescence. Children were still treated like miniature adults, as in the middle ages. They were dressed like their parents. Boys were expected to follow in their fathers footsteps, while girls, mostly of the upper class, were taught to be "ladies" from a very young age. Yet in art we begin to see youth shown with more more childish faces and bodies.
These two sisters most likely belonged to a wealthy family. They are dressed in elegant gowns that represent the ladies they are to become instead of the children they are now.
|
This boy has the face of a child, yet his cloths are more like that of a mans.
|
This colonial painting was used to show the wealth and well being of the Gibson family through the sweet innocence of the children. The fancy sleeves with bows and the nice leather shoes are symbols of the families wealth. The children are shown dressed like their parents.