Portret van een vrouw met een tas op schoot 1889

This photograph by Hellis & Sons captures a woman with a bag in her lap, likely taken in 1889. The bag in her lap is not merely an accessory, but a vessel, a container of secrets and necessities. This motif of holding, of cradling something in one's lap, echoes across time. Consider the countless depictions of the Madonna, gently holding the infant Christ. The gesture speaks of protection, of nurturing, of the profound bond between caretaker and precious charge. In both instances, there's an emotional weight to this act, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. We are drawn to the tenderness, to the vulnerability, and to the inherent human connection it represents. The bag, like the Madonna’s child, is a symbol of what is cherished and private. These images speak to our collective memories. What is considered sacred resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.