Portret van man (zittend, in uniform), kind en vrouw c. 1900 - 1920

This is a photograph of a man in uniform, a child, and a woman, by G.C. Kooyker. It captures a moment, and perhaps a way of life, with a restricted sepia color palette. The textures and tones are incredibly tactile. I wonder how the artist manipulated the light to capture the different textures of the fabrics, from the crispness of the man’s uniform to the soft, inviting look of the woman’s blouse. See how the light catches the edge of the man's collar, or the small buttons down his uniform? This creates an impression of three dimensions. This is particularly noticeable in the way the light illuminates the son's hair, which is wonderfully charming. Like the painter Gerhard Richter, Kooyker utilizes his medium to reveal the nature of the subject, offering a slice of reality. This artwork invites us to embrace uncertainty and to find meaning in the unpredictable conversations that art initiates across time.