Groepsportret van de familie Kessler aan een buitentafel 1913

This silver gelatin print presents a formal composition of the Kessler family, captured by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler. The arrangement of figures around an outdoor table creates a staged, almost theatrical atmosphere. The eye is drawn to the contrast between the dark suits and light coloured clothing. The composition is structured by the horizontal line of the table and the vertical placement of the figures, establishing a clear visual framework that divides the space. This arrangement reflects a semiotic system of signs, where clothing and posture convey social status and family dynamics. The photograph’s formalism destabilizes conventional notions of family portraiture by engaging with new ideas of representation. The photograph, with its structured formality, offers a glimpse into a world where social order and familial bonds are meticulously arranged. The visual and cultural codes inform its making and reception, inviting ongoing interpretation.