Portret van een moeder met kind 1893 - 1920

This is a portrait of a mother with her child, created by Franciscus G. Lukera, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. The photograph captures a moment that speaks to the cultural and societal expectations placed on women during this period. Consider the limited roles available to women at the time. Motherhood was often seen as a woman’s primary identity and purpose. The way the mother is dressed, and the child presented, reflects the values of modesty, domesticity, and caregiving that were projected onto women. These representations served to reinforce a patriarchal structure, limiting women’s autonomy and opportunities beyond the domestic sphere. There is an emotional undercurrent to the photograph. The mother’s gaze, perhaps reflecting both love and the weight of her societal role, adds a layer of complexity. The photograph thus becomes a poignant reflection on the intertwined personal and political dimensions of women’s lives, raising questions about identity, agency, and the ongoing negotiation of women’s roles in society.