Drie theedrinkende vrouwen rond tafel in ruimte met planten 1897

This stereoscopic print by Carleton Harlow Graves captures a curious moment of leisure. Three women gather around a table set amidst dense foliage, their attention absorbed by the ritual of tea. The composition is constructed through a series of layers, from the large leaves in the foreground, through the subjects, to the bust in the background. This repetition creates a sense of depth but also serves to flatten the image, turning the scene into a tableau. The use of sepia tones enhances the image's textural qualities. The limited tonal range draws attention to the details of fabric, foliage and ceramic. The eye oscillates between the women and the bust of a woman in the background. This photograph can be interpreted through the lens of semiotics. The tea-drinking scene functions as a sign, representing social rituals. The garden backdrop, however, complicates this as it represents a constructed space. The photograph is thus a complex interplay of signs that invite ongoing interpretation.