Wilhelmina en Dootje van Zijll de Jong met een ander, zwemmend 1930 - 1935

This photograph captures Wilhelmina and Dootje van Zijll de Jong swimming with another person, and was taken by an anonymous photographer. It’s a small, intimate image, likely from a family album, and invites us to consider the social context and the unspoken stories it holds. We might consider how gender and class intersect in this seemingly simple scene. Who were these women? What freedoms did they enjoy, and what constraints did they face? The act of swimming, then as now, could represent a form of liberation, a temporary escape from social norms. The presence of the statue suggests a potential blend of personal leisure and cultural appropriation, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of privilege and representation. The photograph offers a personal glimpse into a bygone era, prompting us to reflect on the societal forces that shape our lives.