Portret van Tine Kleiterp-Vermeulen met haar zoon Klaas Kleiterp op de arm in Madjene op Celebes 1921

This photograph portrays Tine Kleiterp-Vermeulen holding her son Klaas Kleiterp, captured in Madjene on Celebes by Klaas Kleiterp in the early 20th century. The image offers us a glimpse into the Kleiterp family's life during a time of Dutch colonial presence in the region. In this intimate portrait, we see a mother and child against the backdrop of a simple wooden structure, surrounded by foliage. Tine's gaze is direct, and her posture is natural as she holds her son. The way the light falls softly on their faces evokes a sense of tenderness and connection. The photograph seems to hint at the complex intersection of personal and colonial narratives, where the intimate moments of family life unfold within a broader historical context. The image quietly speaks to both the universal experience of motherhood and the particular circumstances of living in a colonial territory. It encapsulates themes of identity, belonging, and the negotiation of cultural spaces.