Kustlandschap met gezin dat afscheid neemt van elkaar c. 1825 - 1827

Théodore Fourmois made this print of a coastal scene depicting a family farewell. It raises the question of how images can evoke both personal emotion and wider economic realities. The image reflects the social conditions of 19th-century maritime communities where men frequently left their families for extended periods. We see visual codes of familial love and the sadness of parting, but consider also the historical associations with maritime trade and fishing industries of the Netherlands. The print offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people, shaped by the economic structures that depended on maritime labor. Institutions such as the family and local community are central here, providing support in the absence of the male figure. The image also invites us to reflect on the role of art in representing social realities. Art historians might consult archives of maritime history or studies of family life in the 19th century to better understand the social context of this image. Recognizing that the meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.