Zeilschip op de Lek met op de oever de molens De Hoop en Weltevreden 1904

James Higson made this small photograph, Zeilschip op de Lek met op de oever de molens De Hoop en Weltevreden, capturing a quiet scene of a sailboat gliding on the Lek river, with windmills and a village lining the shore. I imagine Higson positioning his camera, maybe on a tripod, waiting for the right light, the perfect alignment of boat and windmills. There’s a sense of stillness, like time held its breath as he captured this moment. I wonder, did he develop the photograph himself in a dark room, watching the image slowly emerge? It makes me think about the choices he made, what he decided to include and exclude, and how he framed this slice of life. Artists are always in conversation with each other, building on ideas, borrowing techniques, finding new ways to see. And ultimately, we hope that viewers can bring their own experiences and interpretations to complete the conversation.