Een gedekte tafel in de tropen met daaraan mensen gekleed in het wit. c. 1910

This sepia photograph by Frits Freerks Fontein Fz. shows a group gathered for a meal, somewhere very hot, all dressed in white. It’s a humble kind of image making; a document of sorts. But it’s also got this strange poetry to it. I like how the tones are so restrained, almost monochromatic, like a memory fading. And then there’s the light. See how it glances off the white clothing, rendering it almost luminous against the darker surroundings? The image’s texture is interesting. It feels grainy, not super sharp, which adds to the sense of distance, both in time and place. The table is covered, yet the viewer gets the impression the building is simple. The food and drinks look untouched. It makes me wonder about the stories behind this gathering, the lives of these people, and the world they inhabited. It’s a far cry from the bright colours of someone like Matisse. But there's a shared interest in the poetry of everyday life, captured with a simplicity that belies its complexity. What are they celebrating? What are they worried about? Art reminds us that there's more to seeing than meets the eye.