Groepsportret van de familie Piek 1889 - 1893

This is an undated photograph titled "Groepsportret van de familie Piek", or "Group Portrait of the Piek Family," by Johanna Margaretha Piek. Born in the Netherlands in 1870, Piek created this group portrait depicting members of her family posed informally upon a rocky mound, their expressions ranging from playful to stoic. Considered within the context of late 19th-century European society, where family lineage and social standing were paramount, this image offers insights into the dynamics of familial representation and the negotiation of identity. The arrangement of figures, with men primarily in the back and women more prominently displayed in the foreground, reflects traditional gender roles. Yet, the relaxed poses and outdoor setting suggest a departure from the rigid formality often associated with Victorian portraiture. Piek invites us to reflect on our own understanding of family, identity, and belonging.