1800-1850
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Dolls of the time were made of the classic materials. They were characterized by their narrow chested and wide hip figures.
They wore the high waisted dresses with 3/4 sleeves so uniquely identified with the regency period. The wooden Grodnertal
dolls were the classic doll of the period. Paper dolls continued to be popular as ladies continued to pursue the elegant pursuits
of the time, including watercolours and miniature painting. The moulded papier mache doll was very popular as the hairstyles
could so readily be created in the moulding process. Wax dolls were more often wax over papier mache dolls. Porcelain, though
still expensive, was beginning to be used to make some dolls.
They wore the high waisted dresses with 3/4 sleeves so uniquely identified with the regency period. The wooden Grodnertal
dolls were the classic doll of the period. Paper dolls continued to be popular as ladies continued to pursue the elegant pursuits
of the time, including watercolours and miniature painting. The moulded papier mache doll was very popular as the hairstyles
could so readily be created in the moulding process. Wax dolls were more often wax over papier mache dolls. Porcelain, though
still expensive, was beginning to be used to make some dolls.
The Hülsenbeck Children (1805-6)
This painting, set in Hamburg where Runge grew up, became one of
Runge’s more famous works. The abnormality of this family painting has
intrigued many and has made it one of the strangest paintings of romantic
psychology.
During the pre late 18th century, the illustration of children being small
adults appealed to Runge who subsequently took to the idea that infants
reflect nature’s vital forces and it’s irrationality belonging to the organic
realms of animals, trees and flowers. Runge conveys this idea here in his
painting of the children of his brother’s friend, Friedrich August. Runge
uses an abrupt change of scale, distancing the onlookers’ view of
Hamburg and the children’s family house and bringing the children to the
foreground as they dominate the picture with the giant like presence. The
elder son and daughter, August and Maria, aged 4 and 5, stand twice as
high as the picket fence positioned behind them enhancing their dominant
status. August and Maria simultaneously pull their 2 year old brother
Friedrich in a wheelbarrow barely able to contain him whilst Freidrich is
clutching to the firm stalk of a wild clump of sunflowers. The infant exerts
strange pressures of mind and body with his intense stare, somewhat
similar to that of his older brother, thus forcing the viewer to gaze back into
the child’s mysterious life. This child embodies nature’s miraculous
energies.
This painting, set in Hamburg where Runge grew up, became one of
Runge’s more famous works. The abnormality of this family painting has
intrigued many and has made it one of the strangest paintings of romantic
psychology.
During the pre late 18th century, the illustration of children being small
adults appealed to Runge who subsequently took to the idea that infants
reflect nature’s vital forces and it’s irrationality belonging to the organic
realms of animals, trees and flowers. Runge conveys this idea here in his
painting of the children of his brother’s friend, Friedrich August. Runge
uses an abrupt change of scale, distancing the onlookers’ view of
Hamburg and the children’s family house and bringing the children to the
foreground as they dominate the picture with the giant like presence. The
elder son and daughter, August and Maria, aged 4 and 5, stand twice as
high as the picket fence positioned behind them enhancing their dominant
status. August and Maria simultaneously pull their 2 year old brother
Friedrich in a wheelbarrow barely able to contain him whilst Freidrich is
clutching to the firm stalk of a wild clump of sunflowers. The infant exerts
strange pressures of mind and body with his intense stare, somewhat
similar to that of his older brother, thus forcing the viewer to gaze back into
the child’s mysterious life. This child embodies nature’s miraculous
energies.
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Fashion
The Napoleonic Wars had ended with the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The Congress redrew Europe into the Confederation of
Germanic States and the Bourbon Kings returned to rule in France--and established a period of prosperity leading to the growth
of international relations unparalleled in history-the Industrial Revolution. This revolution, unique in that it was not limited to just
one country, was growing and spreading ideas, opportunities and wealth to Asia, Europe and America. In 1837, a 28 year
young doll collector came to reign over an explosion of communication and travel, spreading ideas, industry and wealth around
the world. In 1844, Queen Victoria also reigned over the first International Exhibition in London organized by Prince Albert.
As such, traditional ways of making things, in this case dolls and fashions changed dramatically affecting cost and quality. More
The Napoleonic Wars had ended with the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The Congress redrew Europe into the Confederation of
Germanic States and the Bourbon Kings returned to rule in France--and established a period of prosperity leading to the growth
of international relations unparalleled in history-the Industrial Revolution. This revolution, unique in that it was not limited to just
one country, was growing and spreading ideas, opportunities and wealth to Asia, Europe and America. In 1837, a 28 year
young doll collector came to reign over an explosion of communication and travel, spreading ideas, industry and wealth around
the world. In 1844, Queen Victoria also reigned over the first International Exhibition in London organized by Prince Albert.
As such, traditional ways of making things, in this case dolls and fashions changed dramatically affecting cost and quality. More
1800s
continental
wood
picture
Theriaults
continental
wood
picture
Theriaults