Groep Roma 1825 - 1882

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet created this etching, titled 'Groep Roma', in the Netherlands during the 19th century. It presents us with a family of Roma people, situated against a stark brick wall, their expressions hinting at hardship. This image resonates with a complex cultural context. In 19th-century Europe, the Roma population often faced marginalization. The image invites reflection on the power dynamics in Dutch society at the time, and the way institutions shape our perceptions. Was Cornet aiming to provoke empathy, or did he perhaps subscribe to the prejudices of his era? These are questions that art historians grapple with. By delving into archival sources, census data, and contemporary press, we can begin to decode the social and political narratives embedded within this artwork. Art serves as a powerful lens through which to examine the social structures of the past, prompting us to consider how those structures continue to shape our present.