Who painted Children?

Children was painted by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller in 1834.

Where can I see Children?

Children is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Children?

Children is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of Children?

Museum-quality prints of Children are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Children

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller , 1834

Children is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s oil painting titled Children was executed in 1834 and is presently part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum. The work presents a modest domestic scene, focusing on two young figures seated before a red drapery, rendered in a restrained, earthy palette that emphasizes the quiet intimacy of the moment.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features a boy in a pink dress and a girl in a white dress, both positioned side by side and gazing directly outward. Their neutral expressions and the simple setting suggest a study of childhood presence rather than narrative action, inviting viewers to contemplate the innocence and stillness of youthful observation.

Technique & Style

Waldmüller employs a subtle chiaroscuro to model the figures, allowing light to fall across the fabrics and faces while deepening the surrounding shadows. This handling creates a modest sense of volume and spatial recession, while the muted, earth‑toned colors reinforce the painting’s calm atmosphere and the artist’s attention to naturalistic detail.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 1830s, Children entered the holdings of the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display. The work reflects Waldmüller’s mature period, during which he focused on genre scenes that combined technical precision with an interest in everyday life.