Groepsportret van twaalf onbekende vrouwen 1879 - 1902

This is a photograph by Jules David, picturing twelve women whose identities remain a mystery. Observe how they are dressed and styled in the late 19th-century fashion, and how they are positioned formally. The arrangement of the women, some seated and others standing behind, echoes the conventions of Renaissance group portraits. We can see this in works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper,’ where the figures are arranged to convey both unity and individual character. In both cases, the arrangement serves a psychological purpose; it invites the viewer to ponder the relationships and dynamics among those depicted. Notice how each woman's individual adornments add a layer of complexity, hinting at personal stories and societal roles, evoking a deep-seated, collective memory of communal identity and shared experiences. This act of bearing witness through portraiture is a cyclical return to humanity's innate drive to document itself.