Portret van Henriëtte van Bergen, mevrouw Fletcher Porter en Wilhelmina van Zijll de Jong, Londen 1932 - 1936

This photograph captures Henriëtte van Bergen, Mrs. Fletcher Porter, and Wilhelmina van Zijll de Jong in London. The three women are posing in what appears to be a private garden, dressed in the fashion of the time. Consider the fur stole worn by one of the women; this is more than a mere accessory. The use of animal fur, historically, speaks to a desire to connect with primal forces, echoing ancient rituals where animal skins signified power and protection. This motif resurfaces throughout history, from shamanistic traditions to royal garments, each time imbued with layers of meaning. It’s fascinating how such symbols evolve. What once might have represented dominance and survival transforms into a signifier of social status and refined taste. This cyclical progression reminds us that images, like memories, are never truly static. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, always reflecting the complex interplay between our past and present.