Groepsportret 1900 - 1930

This is a group portrait made at some unknown time by the Nederlandsch fotopersbureau. The tones are limited to shades of grey, which creates an image full of subtle variations. In this way, the process becomes visible and reveals itself, inviting us to consider how the piece came to be. The image has a tactile quality; you can almost feel the texture of the paper and the way the light interacts with it. Look closely at the faces in the crowd, some are sharp, others blurred and the background is mostly out of focus. It's this variation of the image that brings an emotional dimension to the photograph; it adds a sense of depth and complexity. You know, this photograph reminds me a bit of the work of Thomas Ruff, particularly his portraits. Like Ruff, the Nederlandsch fotopersbureau, explores the possibilities of photography as a medium. It embraces ambiguity, inviting us to look closer and question what we see.