Portret van een man met een kind op schoot, beiden in Volendamse klederdracht c. 1900 - 1910

This photo by G. Hidderley captures a man and child in traditional Volendam attire. The limited tonal range here, from deep blacks to soft greys, lends the image a timeless, almost dreamlike quality. It makes me think about the early days of photography, where capturing an image was about chemistry as much as composition. The surface of the photograph has a gentle sheen, reflecting light in a way that softens the details, especially on the man's weathered face and the child’s curious expression. The light catches the textures of the clothing, accentuating the fabric’s folds and the soft fur of the man’s hat. The details around the subjects fade into darkness, drawing us into a quiet intimacy. Hidderley’s work reminds me of August Sander’s portraits of the German people. Both capture something essential about their subjects, revealing the humanity within specific cultural identities. Art isn’t just about perfect reproduction; it's about capturing something real.