Reproductie van een schilderij van een groep weeskinderen op een boerderij door Hugo Salmson 1884

This image is a reproduction of a painting by Hugo Salmson, depicting a group of orphaned children at a farm. The artwork is titled “Les Orphelins, Skane.” This work offers a glimpse into the lives of vulnerable children in 19th-century Sweden. It subtly speaks to issues of social welfare and the care of children without families during this period. The setting of a rural farm raises questions about the role of agriculture in child care and labor. What does it mean to be orphaned, stripped of familial identity, and placed into a system of care? How does the group dynamic—the collective experience of loss and displacement—shape individual identities within the orphanage? The muted tones and the children’s reserved expressions evoke a sense of melancholy and introspection, drawing viewers into their silent world. The painting reflects societal attitudes towards children and offers a moment to reflect on the emotional and social implications of institutional care.