When I left the comment I started to say how these kinds of painting brought about conflicts in me . . . then stopped . . .
I could see they were pretty, my parents seemed to admire the images but I knew I could never be like the children in the pictures, didn't really want to be like the children in the pictures, thought I ought to want to be like the children in the pictures . . . the result was that they loomed over me.
I had a very good childhood, but I think all children feel that sort of insecurity. I doubt if I turned out what my Father especially realy wanted, and I know they would have liked more children, but they have genuinely done their best not to show these things over the years. I felt a lot of pressure as an only child and was no doubt spoilt rotten!
Pictures like this always remind me of the paintings I used to look at in Kenwood House in London when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteLucy
It would make a great card. A bit cute for me and reminds me of one of those 'perfect' childhoods. Never been to Kenwood - sounds good.
ReplyDeleteWhen I left the comment I started to say how these kinds of painting brought about conflicts in me . . . then stopped . . .
ReplyDeleteI could see they were pretty, my parents seemed to admire the images but I knew I could never be like the children in the pictures, didn't really want to be like the children in the pictures, thought I ought to want to be like the children in the pictures . . . the result was that they loomed over me.
I think it was a print of this we had at home
http://www.englishheritageprints.com/low.php?xp=media&xm=538011
- except I thought the title was 'The Dancing Lesson'.
Lucy
I had a very good childhood, but I think all children feel that sort of insecurity. I doubt if I turned out what my Father especially realy wanted, and I know they would have liked more children, but they have genuinely done their best not to show these things over the years. I felt a lot of pressure as an only child and was no doubt spoilt rotten!
ReplyDelete