The Invisible Mother

A couple of weeks ago I posted on  a photo I picked up over Easter of a mother holding a child still during a photo.  I metnioned how this forms a motif in vintage studio photography of the hidden mother.  

I bumped into a great site this morning that has a good number of example the "Invisible Mother" as they call it.  I suppose I understand the practice considering the sqirmy or frightened child, but why cover the head of the mother?  Why not photograph the two together or instead draw upon a Madonna and Child sort of precedent?  Some of the photos in this motif do hide the mother quite well, others...well...do not.  Because they are so obvious, they look rediculous...and kinda creepy.  Anyway...Enjoy.  

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