Two Sisters and Their Toys, circa 1775
A pair of paintings depicting two young sisters in an elegant interior, captured in a moment of play.
One is shown holding a cage and a small bird, while the other is depicted with her favorite doll and a few other toys. These attributes, rare in painting of the period, lend an intimate and lively dimension to the scene.
Both children are dressed in elegant gowns, richly adorned with lace and ribbons. Both are depicted standing in refined interiors, one with a console table and a gilded mirror, the other with a piece of furniture and a curtain, suggesting the opulence and comfort of their family environment.
The portrait of a child became a popular genre in Europe during the 16th century, and it was during the Enlightenment that it flourished in France. However, young subjects were still often subject to the conventions of official portraiture,
showing them in their most refined guise.
Until the end of the Middle Ages, depictions of children were rare and always modest in the 16th century.
Moreover, the child is never alone, unless it is an exceptional child, such as a royal child or the Infant Jesus.
The painting shown is of high quality and extremely rare because the children are depicted with toys. This pair of paintings can offer us a glimpse into the realities and daily lives of children in the 18th century.
France
Circa 1775
With frame: 49.5 cm x 38.5 cm.
Without frame: 40 cm. x 29cm.
