Kinderen die wees werden na de ontploffing van een munitiefabriek in Oosterweel bij Antwerpen op 6 september 1889 Possibly 1885 - 1889

This photograph, taken by L. van Neck, captures orphaned children in Oosterweel near Antwerp after the tragic munitions factory explosion of 1889. Observe the destroyed building in the background, a stark symbol of sudden loss and shattered lives. The motif of the ruined home appears throughout history, as it evokes vulnerability and displacement. Notice these children, standing together, mirroring poses seen in countless depictions of refugees or families uprooted by disaster. The emotional weight of this image is immense, tapping into our collective memory of trauma and the enduring need for shelter and security. Consider, too, how the act of photographing such scenes can be seen as a modern-day memento mori, reminding us of life's fragility, and the recurring cycle of destruction and renewal in the human experience. The image persists as a potent symbol of resilience amidst devastation.