Portret van een onbekend meisje, aangeduid als Henriëtte 1857

Hendrik Hermanus Roelse created this portrait of an unknown girl, possibly named Henriëtte, using an early photographic process. The most striking element is the girl’s modest attire, reflecting the values of the time. Consider the image of the child and how it resonates across cultures. In ancient Roman portraiture, children were depicted with a certain gravitas, signaling their role in the family lineage. Yet, here, the girl’s simple dress and the presence of what seems to be a writing tablet, hints at education and moral upbringing, values increasingly emphasized in the 19th century. The solemnity in her eyes engages us on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of shared humanity. This archetype, the innocent child, resurfaces through history. While the medium changes, the emotional core remains, connecting us to past generations.