Portret van een zittende baby 1901 - 1911

Jos. Liekens made this small portrait of a seated baby, using photography, sometime in the distant past. It's interesting how the light almost seems to be caressing the baby's face. It has that feel of early portraiture, where the focus is on capturing likeness, but also, something deeper. Look at the way the baby is positioned, almost enthroned on that cushion. The photographer seems to be highlighting the baby's innocence and vulnerability, but also, its inherent power. It's funny how we're drawn to these historical images. I'm reminded a little of Julia Margaret Cameron, the way she used a soft focus to create a dreamy, almost spiritual effect. It’s as if these artists are all in conversation across time, each one exploring the possibilities of their medium, trying to capture something essential about what it means to be human. Each photograph asks more questions than it answers.