Portret van een jongen met speelgoed boot 1882 - 1914

Hendrik Jonker captured this image of a young boy with a toy boat in the late 19th or early 20th century using the albumen print technique. Portraits like this offer a glimpse into the construction of childhood and masculinity during a time of significant social change. The boy, dressed in a sailor suit, embodies themes of exploration and adventure, while reflecting the cultural values and expectations placed upon young boys. The image raises questions about the performance of gender, and the emotional landscape of childhood. What does it mean to see a child dressed to mimic adulthood? Consider too, the gaze of the child. What does he know about the expectations of being a boy? What does he feel about the costume he is wearing? The photograph invites us to reflect on the ways in which identities are shaped by societal norms, and how these norms are internalized and expressed from a very young age.