Portret van een onbekende vrouw bij een stoel 1865 - 1887

This is a portrait made by Jan George Mulder, featuring an unknown woman, likely created during the latter half of the 19th century. Here, our attention is drawn to the twisted columns of the chair. It isn't just a functional item; it's laden with symbolic value that stretches back through time. Twisted columns evoke the Solomonic columns of the ancient Jewish temple. These columns, with their spiraling form, have been reinterpreted across diverse epochs and artistic styles. During the Baroque period, Bernini incorporated Solomonic columns into the Vatican, linking the Catholic Church to the grandeur of antiquity. This allusion is a testament to how forms, even seemingly minor ones, can carry significant cultural and religious weight, accumulating layers of meaning as they reappear in various contexts. In this photograph, the column provides a silent echo of history, inviting the viewer to consider themes of continuity and the passage of time.