Groepsportret van twee mannen en twee vrouwen in kostuum 1850 - 1900

This is an undated photograph by E. Huet titled "Groepsportret van twee mannen en twee vrouwen in kostuum," which translates to a group portrait of two men and two women in costume. The photograph shows a group of four people dressed in elaborate costumes that seem to be a blend of theatrical and everyday attire. The two women are dressed in what seems like domestic servant costumes, while the two men are wearing clown and Pierrot costumes, respectively. In the center sits a man wearing a polka dot clown suit with a pointed hat and large ruffle collar. What is immediately striking is the contrast between the playfulness suggested by the clothing and the relatively somber expressions worn by the group. The photograph suggests a moment of constructed identity, raising questions about performance, role-playing, and the construction of social roles in society. The image might remind us that the costumes we wear and the roles we play are always in conversation with the social expectations of our time.