Verschillende leden van de familie Gonggrijp en vrienden op plantage Clevia 1910 - 1914

This photograph captures the Gonggrijp family and friends on the Clevia plantation. The women dressed in white, some holding bicycles, and a man standing slightly apart, invite us to consider the symbolism of leisure and social order. The bicycles here are more than mere transportation; they represent modernity, freedom, and a certain detachment from the immediate landscape. Consider how the bicycle, once a symbol of progress, appears in other contexts, such as early 20th-century advertisements. The shift is palpable: from a symbol of emancipation to one of everyday recreation. The parasol shields the women from the harsh sun, is an emblem of status, reminiscent of ancient protective deities. We recognize how the image engages us on a deep, subconscious level. The cyclical progression of these symbols continues as these motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in various historical contexts.