Children in American 19th-century Art

Abstract

This thesis explores the childhood in the 19th-century American art and how various artistic movements and social issues shaped both the experience, as well as visual depiction. The thesis examines the impact of Romanticism, Realism and Impressionism on the children’s artistic depiction. It also examines the social issues of child labour, its consequent reform, and the living and working conditions of children, with a particular focus on orphaned children. In addition, the thesis addresses slavery and children’s position within the system of enslavement, as well as abolitionism and its representation in arts. The 19th-century also witnessed the education reform, which profoundly shaped the experience of contemporary childhood. Moreover, it examines the emergence photography in depiction of children. Drawing on these historical, social and artistic movements, this thesis presents the analysis of selected artwork that depicts children.