Maria Gonggrijp en Sacha Croese 1912

This sepia photograph captures Maria Gonggrijp en Sacha Croese, and although the artist remains anonymous, the image offers us a glimpse into the lives of women in the early 20th century. The women are formally posed on what appears to be a porch. Their high-waisted dresses, cinched at the waist, speak to the fashion norms of the time, reflective of a society still clinging to rigid gender roles, yet on the cusp of significant change. Consider the subtle act of posing itself, and the quiet resistance in choosing how they wished to be seen. The camera, then as now, becomes a tool not just for documentation, but for self-definition. The emotional resonance of this image lies in its simplicity. It invites us to contemplate the ordinary moments of women's lives, often overlooked in historical narratives. How do these women see themselves, and how do they want to be seen by posterity? This photograph captures a moment in time, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity, representation, and the silent stories embedded within the frame.