Figure 1.--Here is a fascinating portrait of a little German boy in 1879. His first name was Fritzle. Unfortunately we do not know his family name. This is a particularly image both because of what is written on the back and the clothing that he is wearing.

Here is a fascinating portrait of a little German boy in 1879. His first name was Fritzle. Unfortunately we do not know his family name. This is a particularly image both because of what is written on the back and the clothing that he is wearing. The text on the back says, "Aufgenommen anno 1879. Fritzle ist 3 1/2 Jahr alt & ein böser Bub." In English this means. "Picture taken in 1879. Fritzle is 3 1/2 years old and a bad boy." Note how is jacket is cut and the length of his pants.

Fritzle

The bpy's name here was Fritzle. This was a diminuative that would have been used when he was little. His first (Christian) name might have been Friedrich or Fritz. Unfortunately we do not know his family name. We know nothing about the family, but given his clothing and that an individul portrait is being made of him, we would conclude that he comes from a family in comfortable circumstances. The text on the back says, "Aufgenommen anno 1879. Fritzle ist 3 1/2 Jahr alt & ein böser Bub." In English this means. "Picture taken in 1879. Fritzle is 3 1/2 years old and a bad boy." This tells us some useful information, both the date and Fritzle's age. It lso tells us that presumably mother was not very happy with Fritzle. It is very unusual to have comments like this written on the back of portraits. For one thing if he was such a bad boy, many parents would not want a portraut taken. A German reader writes, "Well, it is as it is. Not very kind of his mother or whoever wrote that. Maybe he was really a very naughty little boy." Well boys that age can be very trying and naughty--but it is hard to imagine a 3-year old being a böser (bad) boy.

Clothing

There are some interesting aspects to Fritzle's clothing and because we have the date, the image is useful in tracking German fashion trends. We note quite a few interesting trends illustrated here. Hopefully readers will have further insights.

Breeching

Note for example that Fritzle has been breeched although he is only 3 1/2 years old. We believe that breeching ocurred early in Germany than many other European countrues, although we are not sure just when this divergence occurred. We have not noted this difference in the early 19th century, although our information is admittedly still limited in the 19th century.

Neckwear

Fritzle looks to be wearing aan Eton collar. Although it is done rather like an Eton collar, note that it is not stiff. Also note the small bow.

Jacket

Note how is jacket is cut. Since the 1840s boys had begun wearing suits, but younger boys commonly wore suit jackets that were cut differentlky than men's suits. This one has a front opening cur on a diagonal basis. Also notice the large buttons and piping.

Pants

Also note the length of his pants. One might think that the boy is just growing out of his suit. But notive the jacket sleeves. The long-length suggess to us that this is a new suit. This mens that the pants were bought at this length, just above the ankles. We have noticed most German boys in the 1870s, especially boys older than Fritzle wearing long pants. This portait is a good example that kneepants were still not the dominant style for German boys in the 1870s and that the kneepants that were worn were cut quite long.

Stockings

Note the white stockings. We note quite a few children in the mid-19th century, even into the 19th century wearing white stockings. By the end of the century, however, dark commonly black stockings were standard.

Hair

Fritzle has short hair, but not the close-cropped hair that was also standard by the turn of the century.

Created: 1:04 PM 12/1/2005
Last edited: 1:04 PM 12/1/2005