Portret van twee onbekende kinderen c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph, taken by Walter Damry, shows two unknown children. The starkness of the image and the children’s formal attire evoke a sense of tradition. Yet, it is the bow in the girl’s hair that catches my attention. This simple adornment speaks volumes. Across time, the bow has been a marker of youth, innocence, and femininity. From ancient Roman ribbons used to bind hair to the elaborate bows of the Rococo period, this motif reappears. In medieval art, angels are depicted with similar adornments, symbolizing purity and divinity. The act of adorning hair can be linked to deeper, subconscious needs—a desire to present oneself in a certain light, to adhere to societal expectations, or to assert individuality. The bow is not merely a fashion statement; it is a symbol of cultural continuity and a reflection of our collective desire to connect with the past, even as we redefine ourselves in the present.