Identical: Portraits of Twins

Long a source of fascination, twins have often been a theme of myth and legend. The founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus is one of the many instances that spring to mind. Even when separated at birth, twins usually have uncannily similar tastes, habits and life experiences. In this landmark photographic study, Martin Schoeller uses his distinctive close-up portrait style to examine 40 sets of identical twins, capturing every subtle aspect of their facial structure and expressions. We notice the myriad similarities and the seemingly miniscule–yet significant–differences. Browsing this remarkable collection, you’ll find yourself pondering how appearance and identity define our sense of our selves.