Gezin Onnen in een tuin of park 1911 - 1919

Here is a look at two silver gelatin prints titled ‘Gezin Onnen in een tuin of park’ by Carolina Frederika Onnen. The prints present images of the artist’s family in what appears to be a garden or park setting. The almost monochromatic sepia tone unifies the images, giving them an antiquated feel. In both prints, figures are loosely grouped, their forms defined by soft gradations of light and shadow. The composition in each photograph is carefully structured around the human figures. The family groups act as focal points, drawing the viewer's eye. These arrangements, seemingly casual, are indicative of a deliberate approach to capturing familial relations, using the setting as a backdrop to convey the essence of family unity. The overall structure suggests a narrative about the social and cultural values associated with family and leisure. The choice of sepia tones and the arrangement of figures encourage us to consider the photograph as not merely a record, but as a conscious construction of familial identity.