Groepsportret van jolige mensen in Batuan, gekleed in het wit. c. 1910

This photograph, ‘Groepsportret van jolige mensen in Batuan, gekleed in het wit’ was taken by Frits Freerks Fontein Fz. The sepia tones in this photograph lend an air of nostalgia. It’s like looking through a window into the past, a moment captured and frozen in time. The composition is fascinating, with the group arranged almost symmetrically. The eye is drawn to the lighter parts of the image, particularly the playful expressions of the subjects. You can sense the texture in the clothing and the foliage in the background, inviting a tactile experience. There's a fascinating tension between the formal attire and the informal setting. The figures, dressed in white, are holding up flowers, which feels spontaneous. It’s as if the photographer embraced the imperfections, the quirks, and the candid nature of the moment. This reminds me of the work of Lisette Model, another photographer who captured the unvarnished reality of her subjects. Ultimately, this photograph invites us to reflect on how we capture and remember moments, and the stories they tell.