Groepsportret van het rugbyteam van Yale University te New Haven 1895

This silver gelatin print presents a group portrait of the Yale University rugby team, its date and photographer unknown. The composition is striking, the players arranged in a pyramid formation that suggests a rigid social structure. Consider how the formal arrangement of the subjects conveys implicit values. The uniform sweaters, each emblazoned with a ‘Y’, act as signs of collective identity and belonging, while subtle variations in posture and gaze hint at individual character within the group. The monochromatic palette reduces each player to similar tones and shades, emphasizing a shared visual identity. The structured composition highlights a rigid hierarchy that suggests a power dynamic, reflecting the social codes of the time. The use of a backdrop blurs the line between the natural and the constructed environment. The image invites us to consider how seemingly straightforward representation might be carefully crafted to convey specific ideologies.