Vrienden van Loentje Onnen, boven Jan van Blouwes Teyer [?] op een skipiste in Davos, onder Frans van Bol aan een bureau 1913

This is a page from Carolina (Loentje) Frederika Onnen’s photo album, holding snapshots of her friends. Likely assembled in the early to mid-20th century, it offers a glimpse into her social circle and personal life. Onnen, born in 1896, lived through a time of significant social change. Her work, like this album, provides insight into the world of a woman navigating evolving societal norms. These images, capturing her friends Jan and Frans in different settings, speak to the intimacy and connection she shared with them. The portraits hint at the privileged lives of these men, their settings suggesting leisure and intellectual pursuits. What strikes me most is the personal nature of this album. It’s a reminder that behind every historical figure, there are personal stories of friendship, connection, and individual experience. The simple act of collecting and arranging these photos becomes a powerful statement of identity and belonging.