Het servetje : herinnering aan "Oefening Kweekt Kennis" 1878

This is "Het servetje: herinnering aan "Oefening Kweekt Kennis"" by Gerard Keller. The artwork presents a grid of portraits, a visual record that speaks volumes about identity and belonging in the late 19th century. Consider the exclusive nature of such a gathering during this period. The subjects, all men, likely represent the professional and social elite of their time. How did gender and class shape access to such networks, and what impact did this have on broader society? The faces immortalized here remind us of the power dynamics at play, where representation and recognition were not universally accessible. What stories remain untold in their absence? This piece invites reflection on the historical forces that determined who was seen and who was excluded, and the ongoing work of reshaping those narratives.