Portret van drie kinderen c. 1872

This is a photograph of three children by Christiaan Martinus Jan Hermelink. The children's clothing, particularly their high-laced boots and formal attire, speak volumes. These are not merely garments but symbols of status and aspiration within the societal norms of the era. Consider these boots—their reappearance can be seen in later military uniforms, hinting at resilience and preparedness. Similarly, the formal bows echo the elaborate ruffs of Renaissance nobility, though transformed, they retain a sense of decorum. The expressions, too, carry emotional weight. Their slightly somber gazes evoke a sense of maturity beyond their years, a common pose in early photography when subjects were asked to sit still for extended periods. This earnestness evokes echoes of early Renaissance portraiture where the sitter's internal life was also captured in its formal presentation. The photograph's ability to instill a sense of gravitas continues to resonate.