Portret van Gesiena Piek 1889 - 1893

This is a portrait of Gesiena Piek, made with an unknown medium, by Johanna Margaretha Piek. As we gaze upon Gesiena Piek's visage, captured by Johanna Margaretha Piek, we encounter more than just a likeness; we are invited to contemplate the intricate dance between identity, representation, and the gaze. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, photography emerged as a powerful tool for shaping perceptions of gender, race, and class. Johanna, born in 1870, navigates this terrain, perhaps challenging conventional portrayals of women. The choice of subject—Gesiena Piek—speaks volumes. What stories do they hold? What histories do they embody? As we reflect on this image, we confront the power dynamics inherent in portraiture and the ways in which the artist asserts her own agency, offering alternative narratives that honor the complexities of womanhood.