Schaatsenslijper in het Vondelpark, Amsterdam 1920 - 1940

This is an image of the Schaatsenslijper in het Vondelpark in Amsterdam, by E. Opperman. I love the grainy texture of this early photograph. It feels like an etching. I am drawn to the activity in this picture, the men gathered around the tool sharpener. There is a feeling of anticipation, of getting ready to take to the ice. Look at the faces of the people, especially the young child. He seems so serious, so focused on the process. I wonder what he is thinking as he waits for his skates? The composition feels so modern, too, so carefully placed to guide the viewer's eye across the scene. What was Opperman thinking when they framed this shot? What was happening in their life at the time? Did they skate? Like painters, photographers make so many decisions about composition, tone, and mood when making their work. Images like this one are a reminder that all artists are in conversation, constantly building on what has come before.