Portret van een onbekende jongen gekleed in een pak voor de eerste heilige communie c. 1870 - 1910

Alphonse Scheffermeyer captured this image of an unknown boy in a suit for his First Holy Communion during the late 19th century. It was a period when the Catholic Church had a strong hold on the Netherlands, dictating social norms and behaviors. In the photograph, the boy, dressed in his communion suit, stands stiffly, holding a top hat and gloves. His solemn expression hints at the weight of the religious ritual ahead. This image reflects the cultural emphasis on religious milestones in a young person's life, marking their entry into adulthood within the church. Scheffermeyer's work provides a glimpse into the social and cultural expectations placed on children during this time. The portrait goes beyond a mere recording of an event, and serves as a reflection of societal values and the personal experience of growing up within a devout community.