Shocking Images Of Terrible Births

In the 17th century, the birth of a child was not always a sign of joy, many young mothers could not provide for the baby. Either the child was unwanted... or living conditions did not allow them to keep it. They would then go to the church square to buy an image from the peddlers. Behind the church, they would tear the image apart, sew one half onto the newborn's sheet and not without courage or tears, they would open the trapdoor. Some churches had a small door that could only be opened once. The baby was placed there and the trapdoor was closed... (hence today's expression passer à la trappe). Later, if living conditions had improved or for other circumstances, if the young mother wanted to recover her child, until then raised by nuns, she had only half of the image to recognize him. She placed the two halves together to confirm the filiation with this child who had become older… Poignant set of four images of peddlers who did not serve this sad destiny.