Beker op voet met foto van jongen c. 1870 - 1900

This cup with a photograph of a boy is an artifact that transcends its practical use, inviting us to reflect on the enduring human impulse to preserve and honor memory. The photograph is framed by an oval, a shape that echoes the Renaissance concept of the 'vesica piscis', a symbol of conjunction and passage, often seen in religious iconography to represent a sacred transition. Here, it frames a child, perhaps suggesting innocence passing into experience. This oval motif reappears throughout history, from ancient sarcophagi to Victorian lockets containing hair, each serving as a portal to memory. The photograph itself, a relatively modern technology, serves as an emblem of our quest to capture and hold onto moments that inevitably slip away. This image can evoke profound emotions tied to mortality and legacy, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Ultimately, this simple cup becomes a vessel not just for liquid, but for remembrance, underscoring how symbols resurface and evolve, carrying forward cultural and emotional resonance across time.