Alfons, Eugen, Marie, and Hermine Antoine 1850s - 1860s

Franz Antoine captured this portrait of Alfons, Eugen, Marie, and Hermine using an early photographic process. The melancholic poses of the children invite a deep, almost primal connection. Observe the hand on the head of one of the children. This is a motif echoed through centuries, a gesture of protection and comfort. You can find it in depictions of the Madonna and Child, in ancient Roman sculptures, and even in Renaissance portraits. The pose speaks to a universal desire for solace. The presence of such recurring gestures across time suggests that certain fundamental aspects of human psychology endure. This unconscious repetition is a potent reminder of our shared cultural memory, passed down through generations. The vulnerability in their eyes, the gentle touch – it all resonates with our own, deeply buried memories of childhood and care.