glasnegatief c. 1895 - 1925

This glass negative by W.G. Hondius van den Broek depicts a young girl seated, cradling a doll, an image brimming with the symbolism of innocence. The bond between child and doll is a motif resonating across centuries, echoing the nurturing Madonna and Child iconography. Here, the doll is not merely a plaything; it's a stand-in for future maternal roles, a rehearsal of care and protection. Consider how this echoes in ancient Roman funerary portraits, where holding an object symbolized earthly identity and aspirations continuing into the afterlife. But unlike the Roman sculptures, here the softness of the image evokes deep emotional states and the transient nature of childhood, engaging our subconscious memories of early attachments. This cyclical progression, this return of foundational symbols in new forms, reveals the enduring human quest to understand our place in the world.