Figure 2.--The second picture is undated, but was probably taken about 1922. The boys are outfitted in similar, but not identical velvet outfits. Kurt has a velvet dress while Herbert has a velvet short pants suit. The trim is identical large slightly ruffled pointed collars without bows. There is no way of telling, but presumably the outfits are balck velvet. The same trim is repated on the sleeve cuffs. Image courtesy of the MD collection.

The second picture looks to have been taken in 1922. The boys are about 2 and 5 years old. The portatit is annotated thus: "Herbert and Kurt Hender mit ihrer pflegerin Schwester Erna, Dusseldorf November 24" This means that Herbert and Kurt with their nurse Erna. A reader tells us that in In Germany and Austria, in the past, a nanny was called Pflegerin Schwester or sometimes Pflegemutter. Currently the more common term is Kindermädchen . The fact that the children have a nurse, in particular a uniformed nurse, suggests to us that the boys came from an affluent if not prominent family. While we are not sure who is who, we believe that the order in which the names are written probably correspinds to their position on the portarit. The children are outfitted in similar, but not identical velvet outfits. Kurt has a velvet dress while Herbert has a velvet short pants suit with large white buttons. The trim is identical large slightly ruffled pointed collars without bows. There is no way of telling, but presumably the outfits are balck velvet. The same trim is repated on the sleeve cuffs. The boys wear white ankle socks and strap patent leather shoes. Both boys now have their hair cut in bangs. Herberts bangs are not cut as high on his forehead as they were in the previous year.

Created: August 30, 2002
Last updated: August 30, 2002