Vrouwen planten rijst 1930 - 1940

Adeline Andrea du Celliee Muller created this image of women planting rice with an unknown medium. The monochromatic tones create a timeless quality, emphasizing the enduring nature of agricultural practices. The texture here is striking; the smooth water's surface contrasts with the rough, bent-over figures of the workers, each one a study in dedication and toil. I keep coming back to the group of women on the right side of the image. Their bodies reflect in the water, creating a doubling effect. They are rooted in the earth, yet also connected to the sky through the water's reflective surface. This photograph reminds me of some of the images I've seen by Dorothea Lange during the Great Depression in the USA. Both artists seem interested in the dignity of hard work. It is a wonderful thing, to see echoes and shared visions across time and culture.