Portret van een peuter met bal in de hand, staand bij een stoel 1860 - 1900

Anton Reischig created this portrait of a toddler with a ball in hand, standing by a chair, using an early photographic process. The sepia tone and formal composition give us a glimpse into a bygone era, where childhood was often viewed through a lens of miniature adulthood. The child's clothing, a striped top, layered skirt, and sturdy boots, speaks volumes about societal expectations. During this time, children from privileged backgrounds were often dressed in ways that mirrored adult fashion, reflecting a desire to present an image of respectability and social status. Portraits like this raise questions about the construction of identity and the performance of gender. Is the child being dressed up to conform to societal norms, or is there a sense of individual expression within these constraints? The ball in the child’s hand, perhaps a small act of defiance or a symbol of budding independence, offers a moment of contemplation. Ultimately, this photograph serves as a poignant reminder of how we project our values onto the youngest among us, shaping their identities from the very beginning.