Portret van een Tine Kleiterp-Vermeulen met haar zoon Klaas op de arm in Madjene op Celebes 1922

This photographic portrait captures Tine Kleiterp-Vermeulen holding her son Klaas in Madjene, Celebes. The tender embrace between mother and child speaks to a universal bond, echoing the Madonna and Child motif found across centuries and cultures. The Madonna, often depicted cradling her infant son, embodies maternal love, protection, and piety. Similarly, here, Tine’s gentle hold and loving gaze evoke feelings of safety and nurturing. This composition resonates deeply, tapping into our collective memory of maternal care. Yet, unlike the serene Madonnas of religious art, here we see a photograph. This shift signifies a move from the divine to the domestic. The intimate portrayal of a mother and child is now accessible to all, reflecting the democratization of art and the rise of personal narratives. The emotional power remains undiminished, underscoring how certain archetypes persist, evolving yet eternally resonant.