Henk en Caroline van den Berg en Leo in de tuin van Turfmarkt 3 c. 1896

Hendrik Herman van den Berg captured this image of Henk, Caroline, and Leo van den Berg in the garden of Turfmarkt 3. While the date of the photograph is unknown, we can consider its historical context. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by rigid social hierarchies and evolving perceptions of disability. Here, we see Caroline seated in what appears to be a mobility device, accompanied by two men, likely family members. The very act of photographing Caroline in her wheelchair challenges conventional representations by acknowledging her presence and experience. This image not only offers a glimpse into a specific family dynamic, but also speaks to broader cultural attitudes toward care, dependency, and the representation of marginalized bodies. The setting in a private garden suggests an attempt to normalize daily life despite physical limitations, highlighting the emotional and physical labor involved in navigating a world not always accommodating. What does it mean to see this photograph now, in a time when we are still grappling with issues of accessibility and inclusion?