Groepsportret van een familie voor een tuinhuis 1855 - 1875

Hippolyte Jouvin created this stereoscopic photograph, "Groepsportret van een familie voor een tuinhuis," to be viewed through a stereoscope, a popular 19th-century device for creating a 3D effect. The image invites us to consider the social dynamics of bourgeois family life. We see a large group gathered in front of a garden house. The women's elaborate dresses and the men's formal suits indicate a certain social standing. While the adults sit formally, the children are more candid. This contrast raises questions about the performance of familial roles and the expectations placed on different members of the family. Stereoscopic photography allowed people to experience a sense of presence and realism, offering viewers an immersive experience into the lives of others. Jouvin's photograph, in particular, allows us to consider the cultural values, gender roles, and social hierarchies of the time, capturing a moment in which the family embodies a certain ideal. The emotional impact lies in the way it represents the aspirations and realities of family life during that era.