Portret van een zittende baby Possibly 1895 - 1896

This is a photograph by Jan Kz de Vries, portraying a seated baby. Notice the baby’s garments, reminiscent of the pure white robes traditionally associated with innocence and the sacred. Throughout history, similar depictions of children have served to evoke notions of purity, hope, and new beginnings. Compare this image to Renaissance paintings of cherubic infants, such as those found in Raphael’s works. The motif of the infant can be traced through art history and its symbolism has evolved. In religious contexts, it often represents divine innocence, while in secular portraits, it can symbolize familial continuity and the promise of future generations. This image stirs a deep emotional resonance, tapping into our collective memory of childhood. The cyclical nature of life and art ensures that motifs like this resurface, are reinterpreted, and continue to engage us with their enduring power.