Children in Art – Themes and Messages

WEA – Sydney

Children in Art is a universal theme – from 17th century Dutch art emphasising household piety to moralising frivolity. To Australian paintings of children lost in the bush or involved in the sheep-shearing. Many 19th century artists used images of children to express a call for social change. They used images of children to focus attention to issues that needed reform. Whilst other paintings just celebrate the beauty of nature and family relations and the importance of childhood innocence. This talk aims to give time to close looking, analysing the themes and messages and enjoying the artist’s skills and talents.