Portret van een onbekende baby, zittend in een fauteuil 1889 - 1925

This portrait of an unknown baby, captured by Josephus Hendrikus Petrus Coppens, invites us into the symbolic world of infancy. Note the lace-trimmed attire, a motif echoing innocence and purity, reminiscent of the swaddling clothes in depictions of the Nativity. This act of dressing an infant connects to a lineage of symbolic representation across various cultures. Consider, too, how the child’s bracelets resemble protective amulets, not unlike those worn in ancient Roman portraits, intended to ward off evil and ensure well-being. The careful placement of the baby in the center of the composition draws our attention and evokes a sense of vulnerability and hope. These familiar, comforting objects contrast sharply with the vast, unknown future stretching before the child. In a world increasingly defined by rapid change, such images serve as poignant reminders of our shared origins and the cyclical nature of human experience.