Isabel Wachenheimer als baby in een ligstoel Possibly 1928

This small photograph of Isabel Wachenheimer as a baby in a deck chair is made with light and shadow, in tones of grey. It captures a moment, a stolen glance at innocence. Look at how the light falls across the blanket, almost blurring the details of the lace frills. The texture seems soft, almost touchable, yet the grainy quality of the image gives it a historical distance. The composition places the baby centrally, framed by the stripes of the deckchair, a deliberate choice, which elevates the child to an almost saintly status. The garden scene in the background is only hinted at, with the encroaching leaves. This image reminds me of the work of artists such as Gerhard Richter, who also explored themes of memory and photography. Like Richter, the anonymous photographer embraces ambiguity, leaving us to fill in the gaps and imagine the story behind the image. The essence of art lies in its ability to evoke emotions and spark our imaginations.