Portret van drie mannen in Volendamse klederdracht, zittend en lezend c. 1900 - 1910

This small sepia photograph by G. Hidderley shows three men in traditional Volendam dress, gathered around a document. The tones are muted, almost monochromatic, giving a real sense of depth. The texture is what gets me. I want to reach out and touch the fuzziness of their hats and the rough weave of their jackets. You can feel the weight and warmth of the fabrics, like these men are bundled up against a cold wind. Look how the light catches on the folds of their clothing! The artist really captures the tactile quality of everyday life. It makes me think of the early portrait photography of Julia Margaret Cameron, who also created intimate and empathetic depictions of people. Both artists seem to want to get beyond just recording what someone looks like, and get at something deeper, something more human and real. I love the way these kinds of images invite us to pause and consider the lives of others, both past and present.