Home > Mary Evans Prints Online > New Images August 2021
Aux Enfants Assistes: L Abandon - Edouard Gelhay
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Aux Enfants Assistes: L Abandon - Edouard Gelhay
Edouard Gelhays Aux Enfants Assistes: L Abandon - a mother deposits an unwanted child at a French state-run institution. Date: 1887
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 23359688
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Co
1887 Deposits Edouard Enfants Institution Orphan Orphanage Orphans Unwanted Welfare Childrens
EDITORS COMMENTS
Aux Enfants Assistes: L'Abandon" is a poignant and thought-provoking photograph taken by Belgian photographer Edouard Gelhay in 1887. The image captures a moment of sadness and despair as a mother bids farewell to her unwanted child at a French state-run institution for orphans and abandoned children, known as "Aux Enfants Assistes." The mother, dressed in a simple, worn dress, cradles her infant in her arms as she looks off into the distance, her expression a mixture of sorrow and resignation. Her child, bundled up in a blanket, stares back at her with wide, innocent eyes, seemingly unaware of the life-altering event unfolding before him. The backdrop of the photograph is the cold, gray walls of the institution, a stark reminder of the harsh reality of the time. The image serves as a powerful commentary on the social welfare system of the late 19th century, which often separated children from their families due to poverty, illness, or neglect. Despite the sadness and heartache depicted in the photograph, there is also a sense of hope. The institution, though far from ideal, provided a roof, food, and education for thousands of children who would otherwise have been left to fend for themselves on the streets. The photograph serves as a reminder of the complexities of social welfare systems and the difficult choices that families and society as a whole must make to ensure the well-being of children. Edouard Gelhay's "Aux Enfants Assistes: L'Abandon" is a haunting and poignant image that continues to resonate with viewers today, offering a glimpse into the past and a reminder of the ongoing challenges of providing care and support for vulnerable children.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
