Beeld van (vermoedelijk) de Hoop met een anker en een kindfiguur c. 1875 - 1900

J. Loroy captured this photograph of a statue, possibly depicting ‘Hope,’ accompanied by an anchor and a child, sometime in the late nineteenth century. The statue, set against a dark backdrop, reflects the neoclassical fascination with allegorical figures, embodying abstract concepts like hope through idealized forms. The figure’s draped clothing and serene expression evoke a sense of timelessness. The inclusion of the anchor, a symbol of steadfastness, and the child, representing the future, speaks to the complex intertwining of hope, stability, and posterity. Consider the era in which this photograph was created. The late 1800s was a time of immense social change and industrial advancement, yet it was also marked by significant disparities. Representations of ‘hope’ in this period could be seen as both a reflection of societal aspirations and a means of coping with uncertainty. This image invites us to reflect on the nature of hope, both as a personal emotion and as a collective ideal.