Zes portretten van onbekende kinderen die lijden en huilen before 1890

These six portraits of unknown children, presented in a book with Italian text, capture moments of distress and sorrow. The anonymous creation of these images raises questions about the context and intentions behind their production. These children, their identities unknown to us, become subjects of study. What does it mean to observe and document their suffering? The act of capturing these emotional states invites us to consider the power dynamics at play. The historical context of this work is critical, prompting reflection on prevailing attitudes towards childhood, emotion, and representation. Rather than offering a sentimental view, the portraits capture raw, unfiltered expressions of sadness. The images speak to the shared human experience of pain. They prompt us to reflect on our own vulnerabilities and experiences of sorrow, connecting us to these children across time and space.