Photographs from the Estate of Isabel Wachenheimer Possibly 1927

This photograph from the Estate of Isabel Wachenheimer, made by an anonymous artist, shows a child holding a small, dark object. I can imagine the artist observing their subject, waiting for just the right moment to press the shutter. It's interesting to see the different textures captured in this image. The solid flatness of the doors in the background, the frilly lace on the table, and the child's dress which looks so crisp. And then there's the more transient, ephemeral nature of the objects. The child’s expression is unreadable. She is holding the object delicately as though she's examining its secrets. I wonder, is she happy? Is she sad? What is she thinking? There’s something very compelling about the ambiguity of the image, like a painting that invites multiple readings. It’s a snapshot of a moment in time, but it also speaks to the mysteries of childhood, and the passing of time. I’m reminded of artists who create a feeling of nostalgia like Gerhard Richter, who also works with photography. Artists are in an ongoing conversation with one another.