Man op een paardenslee in Rusland 1903 - 1904

This small photograph shows a man on a horse-drawn sleigh in Russia. The palette is limited to the tones of old photographs, all browns and faded whites, which makes it feel like a memory. I wonder what the photographer, Joseph Cheetham, was thinking as he captured this scene. It’s as if time stood still as he waited to press the shutter. Did he know the people? Was he struck by the bleak beauty of the winter landscape? Look at the horse. You can see its breath condensing in the cold air, a small cloud against the muted background. And the driver, bundled in heavy clothes, a dark silhouette against the snow, holding the reins. It's a gentle gesture and makes me think of the many quiet moments that make up a life. Like paintstrokes, these photographic choices reflect the time of its making, and it continues to speak across time and inspire our imaginations.