Why read Children's Drawings (Le Dessin Enfantin)?

Book cover of Children's Drawings (Le Dessin Enfantin)

Book description

This title looks at children's drawings in light of modern psychology, focusing on the two main theories - visual realism and intellectual realism - whilst examining the work of Georges-Henri Luquet and arguing that his work goes beyond both theories.

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Why read it?

1 author picked Children's Drawings (Le Dessin Enfantin) as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Ellen Winner

Author

This book, originally published in French in 1927 (and now at long last translated into English by psychologist Alan Costall), is the earliest systematic analysis of the odd, nonrealistic features of children’s drawings, and the first to argue against those who considered these oddities as defects to be overcome. Instead, children’s drawings at different stages are shown to have their own logic and intelligence. Luquet opposed any kind of intervention or correction by adults, which he felt might destroy children’s love of drawing. He took children’s drawings seriously, never dismissing them in terms of what they lacked. This highly readable…

From Ellen's list on the value of children’s art.