Groep van drie vrouwen en twee kinderen 1772 - 1828

Nicolaas van der Worm created this small etching of three women and two children. Notice the recurring motif of the head coverings. These bonnets, a sign of modesty and virtue, root this scene in the visual language of its time. Such coverings have appeared throughout history, from ancient Roman veils to the wimples of medieval nuns, each altering in form, yet preserving the fundamental idea of protection and reverence. Consider the emotional weight—the sense of security and tradition—these bonnets evoke. They serve as a visual echo, resonating with archetypal images of motherhood and familial bonds. Like a memory passed down through generations, the motif of the covered head resurfaces, transformed, yet still carrying the indelible mark of its origins. It is a testament to the cyclical nature of symbols, perpetually reborn in the ever-changing tapestry of human expression.