The image above shows Pieter Bruegel’s painting entitled Children’s Games (1560). 1. What can paintings like this one tell us about society at that time? 2. What games can you see the children playing? 3. Compare this image to how children play now. In pairs, discuss what are the differences, and what are the similarities between the two?
1. Family life
Having children at this time in history was full of risks. For many families, particularly in poorer families, most children did not live until adulthood. In addition, women often did not survive childbirth leading many of them to make their wills before having a child.
Children in poorer families who did survive, were expected to work as soon as possible. In the countryside children helped in the fields while tradesmen taught their children their trade through apprenticeship.
In Italy, wealthier families allowed their children time to play and be educated. Boys had a private tutor or attended college from seven to fifteen, while girls in their mid- teens were sent to the convent until they married or became nuns.
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For more about women in the Renaissance search online for: vam.ac.uk women in the Renaissance.