Jonge vrouw leunend tegen een stenen paal in Nederlands-Indië 1912

Onnes Kurkdjian made this gelatin silver print, "Jonge vrouw leunend tegen een stenen paal in Nederlands-Indië", at an unknown date. It's so interesting how a black and white photograph can feel so tactile. The textures in this piece really make it. Look at the way the stone post has been worn smooth with age, and then compare it to the rougher bark of the tree. You can almost feel the difference between them. Now, see how the light catches the fabric of the woman’s sarong. I love the detail of the draping. It has movement. The way she casually leans against the post with such poise, there’s a quiet confidence in her stance that really speaks to me. Thinking about art as a conversation, this reminds me of some of August Sander’s portraits. A totally different context but similarly direct and insightful. In the end, what we bring to a piece, and what we take away, is always personal and ever evolving.