Portret van een vrouw met twee kinderen c. 1867 - 1870

This portrait of a woman with two children was captured by Johan Christiaan Reesinck. The hats worn by the mother and children are not merely fashion statements, but symbols of respectability and social standing. We can see the subtle, yet insistent, echoes of the halo in these head coverings. In medieval times, the halo was a symbol exclusive to religious figures, but has been secularized over time. The seemingly mundane act of dressing in finery is connected to ancient rituals of adornment, designed to ward off evil and attract favor. The very act of assembling and presenting oneself in attire is a deeply human ritual, transcending eras and echoing across cultural boundaries. From the pharaoh's headdress to the flapper's beads, it is a testament to the enduring power of visual language. Here, clothing acts as a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, conveying an elevated social status. This portrait reflects the cyclical progression of symbols, which resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.