Portret van Goverdus Henricus Jonker 1910 - 1940

This small portrait, made by an unknown photographer, gives you a glimpse into the past through a lens. I like how the muted tones create a sense of intimacy, as if you're peering into a private moment. The image is soft, and there's a wonderful gradation of light and shadow that gives the subject depth. It’s a tonal dance between the subject’s corduroy jacket, his bow tie, and the barest hint of a smile. There's a certain stillness, but it's not static. It’s how the artist treats the background that suggests something about their way of working. The background isn't uniform, you can see a faint horizon line, it feels kind of like a painting. Photography, like painting, allows artists to capture a moment but also to shape it, to infuse it with their perspective and create something new. It reminds me a little of Lisette Model’s portraits. It’s not about perfection. It’s about the life of the work.