Groep onbekende mannen waarvan enkele pijp roken before 1920

This photograph of a group of unknown men, some smoking pipes, was taken by Donald Mennie. The sepia tones of the print give it a timeless, almost dreamlike quality, like a memory half-forgotten. Look closely at the man standing on the right, with his arms folded. The texture of his clothing and the deep shadows that describe the contours of his face and body are particularly striking. It's as if the artist is trying to capture not just his physical appearance, but also something of his inner life, his thoughts and feelings. The composition is also interesting, the way the figures are arranged around the table creates a sense of intimacy and community. You can almost hear the murmur of conversation, the clink of glasses, the shared laughter. It reminds me of the work of some early 20th century photographers like Alfred Stieglitz, who were also interested in capturing the everyday lives of ordinary people. Art is always a conversation across time, don't you think?