Portret van Wilhelmina van Zijll de Jong en haar moeder Henriëtte Wassink aan tafel op het terras op de pier van Scheveningen 1930 - 1935

Here is a snapshot of Wilhelmina van Zijll de Jong and her mother Henriëtte Wassink on the pier of Scheveningen, created by an anonymous artist, and mounted in a photograph album. The light is subtle, as if the sun is playing peek-a-boo behind the clouds, creating a soft, diffused glow. I imagine the photographer, carefully composing the shot, waiting for the right moment to capture the essence of these women enjoying a day out. There is something deeply moving about the subjects gazing at the camera. They are aware of the act of being seen. What was it like for them to have their picture taken? Did they feel exposed, vulnerable, or proud? The texture of their clothing, the subtle patterns in the background – these details create a rich tapestry of sensory experience, grounding the viewer in a specific time and place. This image reminds us that art-making is often a communal endeavor, with artists drawing inspiration and energy from each other's work. And it’s through this sharing that we discover new ways of seeing, thinking, and feeling.