Vier en een halve maand oude baby Klaas Kleiterp in de armen van zijn moeder Tine Kleiterp-Vermeulen in Malang 1920

This gelatin silver print captures Tine Kleiterp-Vermeulen holding her four-and-a-half-month-old baby, Klaas Kleiterp, in Malang. The photograph, likely taken by Klaas (I) Kleiterp, presents a study in contrasts and textures, predominantly in monochrome. Notice how the composition is structured around soft, rounded forms – the mother's dress, the baby's face, the palm leaves behind them. These shapes create a gentle, enveloping atmosphere. The subtle gradations of light and shadow play across the surfaces, adding depth and dimensionality to the scene. The photograph may appear straightforward, yet its formal elements subtly destabilize conventional portraiture. Rather than emphasizing individual features, the image focuses on the interplay of shapes and tones, creating a sense of intimacy and connection. The interplay between light and dark, the tactile quality of the print itself, invites us to reflect on how the medium shapes our perception and memory. This challenges the idea of a photograph as a mere record, instead highlighting its potential for artistic expression and interpretation.