juvenilia

American  

[joo-vuh-nil-ee-uh, -nil-yuh] / ˌdʒu vəˈnɪl i ə, -ˈnɪl yə /

plural noun

1. works, especially writings, produced in one's youth.

   His juvenilia were more successful than his mature writings.

2. literary or artistic productions suitable or designed for the young.

   publishers of juvenilia.

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juvenilia British  

/ ˌdʒuːvɪˈnɪlɪə /

plural noun

1. works of art, literature, or music produced in youth or adolescence, before the artist, author, or composer has formed a mature style

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juvenilia Cultural  

1. Works produced in childhood or youth, particularly written or artistic works.

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Etymology

Origin of juvenilia

1615–25; < Latin, noun use of neuter plural of juvenīlis juvenile

Example Sentences

Caravaggio’s “Boy With a Basket of Fruit,” one of his most dazzlingly beautiful juvenilia, bears the sumptuous hallmarks of his bold style and technique, in which he eschewed drawing to paint directly on canvas.

From The Wall Street Journal

Austen began writing as a child, and her “juvenilia,” reports Romney, “show a delight in parody,” a characteristic that would inform her later work.

From Los Angeles Times

Pending the discovery of some unpublished juvenilia or yet another iteration of the penultimate “Road Show,” this is the last Sondheim musical we will ever have.

From New York Times

Like “A Bit of Previous,” last summers’ release, there is a growing presence of a more adult-aged character all throughout, taking precedence over the usual first-person journeys in juvenilia.

From Washington Post

“He does not like his juvenilia recovered and made public so I don’t think he would like this out there,” he said.

From Seattle Times