Z.V.H. den Soesoehoenan, Goesti Kangdjeng Ratoe Hemas en Goesti Raden Ajoe Sekat Kadaton, in de ontvangzaal van het Hotel Tjepoe 1933

This photograph, by an unknown artist, captures a meeting in the reception room of the Hotel Tjepoe. The image is rich with detail, but rendered in monochrome, the approach to mark making is very selective, relying on contrasts of light and shadow to define form. This limitation invites a particular way of seeing, thinking and experiencing the scene. Notice the ornate carpet, a sea of intricate patterns receding into the background. The texture is so palpable, I can almost feel the pile beneath my fingers. It’s in sharp contrast to the smooth, almost stark, walls. Then you have the people; each figure posed formally, yet there is a palpable sense of tension. The play of light and shadow across their faces and clothing creates a kind of emotional texture. The artist uses light like a sculptor, carving out shapes and volumes, guiding our eye. This photograph reminds me of the quiet intensity of Edward Hopper’s paintings. There’s a similar sense of being a fly on the wall, witnessing a moment frozen in time. It's a conversation, a visual exchange, that continues to resonate across decades.