Foto c. 1895 - 1925

This photographic negative by W.G. Hondius van den Broek presents a family standing outside their home. The house itself is a potent symbol, representing not only shelter but also the heart of domestic life, echoing motifs of hearth and home found in ancient Roman frescoes. The presence of the family unit, with the parents and child, recalls the Madonna and Child iconography pervasive in Renaissance art; yet here, the sacred is transposed onto the mundane, elevating the everyday into a tableau of familial sanctity. Encircling the scene, trees laden with foliage conjure images of the Garden of Eden, where nature cradled humanity in its infancy. But look closer and you might see the very notion of 'family portrait' and 'home' as tropes that have evolved over time. How collective memory shapes and informs our understanding of the image. The image conveys a deep sense of belonging and stability, tapping into our most primal desires for security and connection. This is a testament to the enduring power of archetypes in shaping our perception and experience.