The childhood photographs of Benjamin and Kafka: from sacrifice to gesture in the World Theatre

This paper explores Walter Benjamin’s remarks on two childhood photographs, one of himself and one of Kafka. The different meanings and implications of these remarks show us the multiplicity of experiences photography makes possible. In this way, we rediscover central aspects of Benjamin’s thought, such as mimesis, redemption and oblivion, and enrich our comprehension of what photography is and might be.