Could the backstory be that in many European cultures touching like holding hands, kissing to the cheeks etc. has no sexual implications? And that in late 18th Century being emotional and holding friendship important was "trendy" with beginning of Romanticism. There are still many countries where friends walk hand in hand.

On a symbolic level, as all the three women are standing close and have all different clothes it could mean the different social classes coming together as equals. What year is the picture from? In the beginning of revolution the common theme was all the classes working together for a better future - although later it gave way to everyone being at each others throats