Groepsportret van vijf meisjes in klederdracht, vermoedelijk in Volendam c. 1900 - 1910

This small photograph, Groepsportret van vijf meisjes in klederdracht, vermoedelijk in Volendam, was made by G. Hidderley, but nobody seems to know when. I feel for these girls dressed in their stiff costumes and matching hats as they line up for the photograph, like a solemn jury of peers. I wonder if they are sisters, friends, or just townspeople? The image has a faded, sepia tone with a lot of mid-range grays, which gives it a nostalgic feel, like an old memory or a dream. The background is out of focus, which makes the figures stand out, but also gives the scene a sense of depth. I can imagine the photographer carefully composing the shot, trying to capture not just their appearance but their essence, their spirit. It is like they're saying: "We are here, we are real, we are part of this place."