Familiealbum van H.W.F. Ligtenberg en L.M. Swart met 149 foto's en cartes-de-visite c. 1860 - 1890

This family album, crafted with a shield-shaped cartouche encircled by acanthus leaves, speaks volumes about the enduring human impulse to preserve memory. The shield, historically a symbol of protection and lineage, here merges with the acanthus, a motif rooted in classical antiquity, often associated with resilience and rebirth. I am reminded of similar symbols adorning ancient Roman tombs and Renaissance family crests. The shield symbolizes the family's identity and heritage. The acanthus leaves, with their connotations of immortality and regeneration, evoke the cyclical nature of life and the enduring power of family bonds. This blend of martial and natural symbols suggests a desire to safeguard not just physical existence, but also the family's legacy across generations. The collective memory embedded in the symbol resonates with the viewer on a subconscious level, inviting them to reflect on their own sense of belonging and the emotional weight of familial connections. And so, like echoes of the past, these symbols resurface, evolving in form yet retaining their fundamental essence.