Omploegen van sawah's. 1900 - 1935

This photographic print shows rice fields being ploughed, maybe sometime in the early twentieth century. Looking at it, I’m struck by how the neutral tones create a world of subtle contrasts. The material here is really the photographic process itself, the way light and shadow interact. Look at the surface of the water; it's almost mirrored, reflecting the sky and creating a sense of depth. Then, notice how the mud is worked; it's thick and textured. You can almost feel the stickiness under your feet. There’s something so real about the lone figure in the field. It's as if the artist invites us to contemplate the rhythms of life and work. It reminds me a little of Van Gogh, who found profound beauty in everyday scenes. This piece is simple, yet it asks us to slow down and see the extraordinary in the ordinary.