Echtpaar met drie kinderen (Utrecht) c. 1860 - 1915

Willem Witsen made this photograph, "Couple with Three Children (Utrecht)", using the photogravure technique. Looking at this image, it’s impossible not to consider the rigid social structures of the time. The family is formally arranged, their clothing reflecting the conventions of late 19th-century bourgeois society. But what does it mean to perform the role of the ideal family? The father sits with his legs crossed exuding comfort and ease while the mother sits upright conveying control and authority. The children are arranged behind them as if in protection of the family unit. Yet, in their formality, do we see the unspoken expectations placed on each family member? Witsen, part of the Dutch impressionist movement, often explored themes of intimacy and social dynamics. His work invites us to reflect on the tension between the desire for individual expression and the constraints of societal norms. In this photograph, we see not just a family portrait, but a tableau of societal expectations. The work asks us to think about the roles we play and the narratives we construct around ourselves and our families.