Tourtonne 1903 - 1910

Hendrik Doijer made this black and white photograph, Tourtonne, at an unknown date. The sepia tones and subdued palette give this image a dreamy, almost nostalgic quality. It's interesting how Doijer directs our gaze, leading us through the architecture and social dynamics of the scene. The composition is striking; the building is raised high off the ground, with a set of steps leading to the first floor, drawing our eye around the composition. The textured quality of the photographic paper adds a tactile dimension to the image, making you feel like you could almost reach out and touch it. I’m drawn to the figures and how they are arranged across the veranda and steps, the figures invite you to invent your own story. Photography, like painting, is always having a conversation with the work that came before, and looking forward too. Doijer’s photograph captures a specific moment in time, but also hints at broader themes of place, and cultural exchange. Art invites us to slow down, to look closely, and to embrace the multitude of perspectives that exist within a single work.