Drie zusjes Geertsema, een meisje Boissevain en een Franse vriendin tijdens een bos wandeling op een houten bruggetje bij Welgelegen, Driebergen c. 1900

This photograph captures a group of women on a wooden bridge, a scene composed by A.C.M. Geertsema. The bridge itself is a potent symbol. Historically, bridges are liminal spaces, representing transitions and connections between worlds. In ancient mythology, bridges often linked the earthly realm with the divine. Think of the Bifrost in Norse myth, a radiant bridge connecting Midgard and Asgard. Here, this simple wooden bridge may symbolize the passage from girlhood to womanhood for these young women, a rite of passage captured in a fleeting moment. The recurring motif of the bridge underscores our collective yearning to overcome barriers, be they physical, emotional, or spiritual. It's a testament to the human spirit's unending quest for connection and understanding. These symbols are not linear but cyclical, resurfacing and evolving across different eras, perpetually influencing our subconscious understanding.