Childhood
The time of life when you are a child, before becoming an adult.
What is it?
Childhood is a theme in art that shows children and their lives. In ancient times, children were often shown as small adults, but in Roman Egypt, children were painted with their own special features. The child portrait you saw shows a boy with a bulla necklace, which was worn by freeborn Roman boys to protect them until they became adults. This tells us that childhood was a special time, even in ancient times.
Why it matters
Art about childhood helps us see how children were valued in different cultures. It also reminds us that children have always been important.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more exhibits about childhood.
