Gezin rondom een tafel 1892 - 1947

Gijsbertus Johannes van Overbeek created this ink drawing, 'Family around a table', sometime in the early twentieth century. This artwork, though simple in its sketch-like quality, gives us insight into the social norms of the Netherlands. We see here a family scene that speaks volumes about social roles and expectations. The father, standing formally in his suit, embodies the traditional role of the provider. The mother, in her practical dress and apron, cares for a young child, while another pours a drink, highlighting domestic responsibilities. Images such as these reflect, and in some ways reinforce, the social structures of their time. To truly understand this artwork, one might delve into Dutch family history, examining how gender and age shaped daily life. We might also want to consider the role of domesticity in shaping notions of Dutch national identity during this period. What we see in this image is contingent on a specific social and institutional context.