Childhood themes span the centuries inTaipei art show

There are 60 sets of artwork in this show, vividly portraying children during a span of 500 years -- from the Renaissance to the early 20th century -- and within four categories: family, play, quiet time and work.

Religious themes, such as Madonna and Child or Christ blessing children, dominate the early period paintings. In the artwork from the 17th and 18th centuries, children appear in portraits, sitting still most of the time. In the early 19th century, more images of children at play emerge, only to be replaced by 20th century paintings that attempt to reflect the inner world of a child.

Some of the highlights include "Feeding Time," a late 19th century piece by French artist Julien Dupre, and "The Young Michelangelo Sculpting a Grotesque Mask," a 19th century work by Italian artist Emilio Zocchi.

"Feeding Time," depicting rural life in the farm, has beautiful coloration and was considered a favorite of Van Gogh. Zocchi's sculpture of a young Michelangelo was a sensation when he produced it in 1862. The sculpture depicts a telling event in the childhood of the famed artist, when he discovers a funky, grotesque mask during a stroll in a garden. It is the moment when he starts to copy the mask that Zocchi vividly interprets, showing the fledgling talent of a future master.

For those who would like to get a more in-depth look at the show, go to the museum's web site at http://www.npm.gov.tw. Some of the works can be seen online. In addition, after the exhibit is over, the artwork may still be seen at the private Chi Mei Museum in Tainan, which loaned out the pieces.