Portret van een onbekend gezin aan tafel met een Indonesische bediende, Nederlands-Indië 1900 - 1920

This photograph by Yong Sun captures an unknown family at a table with an Indonesian servant. It presents itself to us in tones of faded grey and brown, like it’s been sitting in someone’s attic. I love the formal quality, like something caught between worlds. Look at the textures, the wooden lattice of the walls and the strange angles in the construction of the house. The space feels both enclosed and airy, with the light struggling to penetrate. Consider the way the artist emphasizes the geometry of the room, the sharp lines of the furniture, and the intricate details of the clothing. Do you see the woman holding a child, her gaze direct and composed, there’s a tenderness there. And the servant standing rigidly behind the table. This photograph reminds me of the work of Alice Neel. It has an unflinching honesty. Art is an ongoing conversation across time, a way of seeing and experiencing the world.