Kindervrienden 1875 - 1903

This print titled "Kindervrienden" or "Children's Friends," by Jan de Haan, shows scenes of children, their innocence and their interactions with nature. Note the image of the child with the umbrella, this object becomes more than just a shield against the rain. In iconography, the umbrella has historically been associated with status and protection. Think of ancient rulers carried under parasols, symbols of their power. This simple object, wielded by a child, is a link to a lineage of symbols of protection. Throughout history, we see how gestures and objects evolve, carrying echoes of past meanings. The motifs return, transformed, yet still resonant. Our collective memory, that vast, subconscious reservoir, influences how we create and interpret these symbols. The seemingly simple act of a child carrying an umbrella holds layers of cultural and emotional weight, resurfacing and evolving through the ages.