Portret van twee meisjes, waarvan één zittend op een stoel met pop in de hand c. 1900

This photograph by Henriette L. Kooy depicts two young girls, one seated holding a doll. The doll in the elder girl’s arms is more than a mere plaything; it is a representation of innocence and a harbinger of future maternal roles. The doll motif echoes through time, reminiscent of the ancient Roman funerary dolls, symbols of childhood lost and continuity of spirit. Consider the doll in the context of ritualistic objects; these effigies, like the dolls, served as stand-ins for human figures. This act of holding, nursing, or even burying a doll taps into deep-seated instincts of nurturing and mourning, reflecting humanity’s continuous grappling with life's cyclical nature. Such representation engages our collective memory, stirring subconscious emotions tied to vulnerability, protection, and the ever-present march of time. This simple photograph is thus a poignant reflection on the human condition.