Sometimes the propmt image for Sepia Saturday isn’t quite an exact match to the subject, but more matches the feeling and composition of the photo like we have here. The prompt image featured a group of kids playing some sort of game, standing in a circle. The girls in the photo above aren’t standing or playing any sort of apparent game, but they’re sitting in a circle just the same. At the center of the circle is presumably the teacher or leader and dthe girls all look to be in their early to mid teens. Hilje Dijkema, my husband’s grandmother, is at the very far left of the photo, leaning on her elbow. The photo was likely taken in or around Uithuizen, Groningen, Netherlands and the back of the photo says, “Meisjes Vereiniging, 1931,” which translates roughly to, “Girls Club,” and dates the photo to 1931 which makes Hilje 17 years old. Hilje didn’t go to school beyond about 5th grade, but the family was very religious so this could have been some sort of church club for girls. I don’t see any bibles or books though, and I don’t know who any of the other girls are. It’s still a charming photo of the group of them and I rather like how they’re all sitting neatly in a circle.
I agree, it’s a very charming arrangement and the girls all look quite relaxed, despite not smiling. I imagine they would have been have been pleased to give copies of the card to their friends and family.
A lovely composed photo. There’s even a girl in the center like the prompt. Well-done!