Familieportret van de Kesslers in de tuin, J.B. Aug Kessler bedient de zelfontspanner (zelfportret)

This family portrait, captured by Jean Baptiste August Kessler, showcases a tableau of leisure with tennis rackets and hoops prominently displayed. These aren't mere props; they are symbols of a rising bourgeoisie, keen to display their access to leisure activities. The circle formed by the hoops echoes back to antiquity, reminding one of the Ouroboros, the snake eating its own tail, symbolizing cyclicality and eternity. Here, the tennis rackets and hoops suggest a world of play, a self-contained universe of family life. Observe how this imagery contrasts with earlier portraiture, where symbols of status might have been swords or religious iconography. The shift towards leisure goods reveals a profound change in societal values. It is a visual echo of our desires, reflecting how we seek to immortalize fleeting moments of joy. These motifs are not static, but continuously evolving to reflect our ever-changing cultural narratives.