Portret van een zittende moeder met kind 1865 - 1887

This portrait of a seated mother with her child was made by Jan George Mulder, using photographic techniques that capture more than just their likeness. Note the floral wreath adorning the mother's head. It's not merely decorative; it symbolizes virtue, fertility, and the cyclical nature of life. The wreath hearkens back to ancient Greek and Roman traditions, where such adornments were worn during festivals honoring deities like Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring. Consider Botticelli's "Primavera," where Flora scatters blossoms, embodying renewal and growth. The persistence of such symbols reveals a deep-seated human desire to connect with the natural world, to find meaning in its rhythms and beauty. Here, it speaks to the enduring bond between mother and child, a cycle of life itself. The wreath, therefore, is not just an aesthetic choice, but a powerful, subconscious symbol, engaging viewers across generations.