Portret van Cha. Matthes-Doorman met baby A.J. Matthes op de arm c. 1881 - 1901

This photograph portrays Cha. Matthes-Doorman tenderly holding baby A.J. Matthes. The Madonna-like pose, a mother holding her child, transcends mere portraiture; it evokes a sense of timeless maternal love. This image is deeply embedded in our cultural memory. We see echoes of it in countless depictions of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, a motif that stretches back through centuries and across cultures. The act of holding a child becomes a powerful symbol of protection, nurturing, and unconditional love. Yet, as this symbol migrates through time, it shifts in meaning. The religious connotations may fade, but the core emotional resonance remains. Whether in Renaissance paintings or a simple family photograph, the bond between mother and child continues to engage us on a profound level, tapping into our collective unconscious. The enduring power of this image lies in its ability to evoke universal emotions. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of life, the enduring strength of maternal bonds, and the way symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across historical contexts.