Portret van twee onbekende vrouwen 1859 - 1870

This photographic portrait by Eduard Fuchs captures two unknown women in their finely patterned dresses. The gesture of one woman’s hand resting on the other’s shoulder speaks volumes. It echoes poses found in classical sculpture, where such touches signified kinship, affection, or mutual support. Consider the recurring motif of the clasped hands, or arms over shoulders: from ancient Roman funerary monuments to Renaissance portraiture. The symbolism morphs across time. Sometimes it represents familial bonds, other times, alliances or pledges. This simple touch becomes a powerful signifier of human connection. Seen through a psychoanalytic lens, the photograph taps into our primal need for affiliation. The gesture transcends mere documentation. It speaks to a collective memory of safety, belonging, and emotional support, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. This non-linear, cyclical progression of the motif resurfaces through history, evolving in meaning, yet retaining its emotional core.