Zeilschepen in een haven, vermoedelijk in Volendam c. 1900 - 1910

Here is a photograph by G. Hidderley of sailboats in what is thought to be Volendam. I love how the image is constructed through a muted palette of blacks, greys and whites. It feels like a hazy memory. Close your eyes and you can almost smell the briny water and hear the gentle clinking of masts in the harbour. I imagine Hidderley capturing this scene, framing the boats through the organic shapes of the tree. It's a classic compositional move, creating depth and a sense of being there, witnessing this quiet maritime moment. The texture is so rich, from the rough bark of the tree to the smooth, still surface of the water. There's a quiet dialogue between the natural elements and the man-made boats. I can imagine him, perhaps a bit windswept, carefully composing the shot, thinking about light and shadow, trying to capture the soul of this place. It reminds me of other photographers who were drawn to the sea – their quest to immortalise fleeting moments. Each artist is participating in a creative conversation that stretches across time.