Portret van twee onbekende vrouwen 1892 - 1906

This photograph of two unknown women was captured by Machiel Hendricus Laddé in Amsterdam. Observe the jewelry worn by the sitters: decorative brooches adorn their high-necked dresses. Brooches, worn close to the heart, have long symbolized attachment and remembrance. From ancient fibulae to Victorian mourning jewelry, brooches served as potent emblems of personal identity. Often, they echo similar forms across time. Consider ancient Egyptian pectorals—ornate breastplates worn as symbols of power and protection—echoing in medieval reliquaries. The brooch evolved into a poignant emblem of remembrance. These objects, often holding portraits or locks of hair, became vessels of memory and emotion. They were worn as talismans, embodying both the presence and absence of loved ones. This image is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The humble brooch is an emblem of remembrance, echoing across time and culture, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to connect us to the past.