Portret van een jongen en meisje 1880 - 1910

Albert Hoffmann created this endearing portrait of a young boy and girl, using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. Here we see children dressed in formal wear, holding hands. The photograph offers a glimpse into the constructed nature of childhood at the time. Note how fashion and posing are used to mold their identities. The rigid formality of their attire contrasts starkly with their innocent, youthful features. The boy's clothing alludes to a future role in the military, while the girl's bonnet emphasizes innocence and purity. The image prompts us to consider the societal expectations placed on children and how these expectations shape their identities from a very young age. There’s a powerful tension between the vulnerability of youth and the weight of cultural expectations, and Hoffman captures this beautifully.