Tine en Bram Vermeulen in een rijtuig of een auto in het Ahrtal c. 1895 - 1905

This photograph by David Vermeulen captures Tine and Bram Vermeulen in what appears to be a carriage or early automobile in the Ahrtal region. The children are dressed in sailor suits, a popular fashion for children at the time, evoking maritime adventures and a sense of youthful exploration. The sailor suit itself is a potent symbol, originating from naval uniforms and adopted by royalty and the bourgeoisie. The image harkens back to a romantic era when the sea represented both opportunity and the unknown. Think of how this garment, popularized by Queen Victoria for her son, quickly became a symbol of childhood innocence. Across different epochs, these clothes resurface, triggering subconscious associations with purity and nostalgia, each time tinged with the collective memories and emotional investments of its wearers and viewers. The sailor suit in this image thus functions as a marker of social status and of the romanticism associated with the sea. As we gaze upon this photograph, we tap into a deep-seated connection to a past filled with dreams of adventure.