Portret van een onbekende jongen 1892

Willem Hooijer captured this image of an unknown boy with photography around the turn of the century. The boy's sailor suit, adorned with anchors, speaks volumes about the cultural values of the time. The anchor, a potent symbol of hope and steadfastness, has ancient roots as far back as the Roman empire. Early Christians often used it as a disguised cross, representing faith amidst life's storms. Here, on this boy's uniform, it signifies not only maritime identity but perhaps a family's connection to the sea, or aspirations of stability in a rapidly changing world. Think of how, in ancient mythology, the sea was seen as a chaotic, feminine force. Yet, mankind’s need to tame it and harness it for trade, to attempt to conquer it, resulted in symbols like the anchor, a way to secure some solidity on these waters. The anchor persists today, tattooed on sailors and adorning naval emblems, its meaning ever-evolving yet forever tied to the human spirit's quest for security and direction. It's a powerful emblem of how symbols endure, adapting through time.