Portret van een peuter 1880 - 1920

This photographic print of a toddler was made by Cornelius Antonius Gerardus Leijenaar, though the specific date is unknown. As a photographic print, the image results from a chemical process, exposing light-sensitive materials to create a lasting record of the subject. The photograph is a small window into the past. Note the lace collar of the child's garment; it speaks volumes about the time-intensive nature of textile production before mass manufacturing. Every stitch, every carefully placed piece of lace, represents countless hours of skilled labor, most likely from women in the household. The very act of creating such a garment was a social activity, passed down through generations. Ultimately, this photograph reminds us of the hidden labor embedded in the everyday objects of the past, challenging our perceptions of value and skill in a world of mass production.