Schapen en lammeren 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this photograph of sheep and lambs sometime between 1864 and 1952, capturing a moment of rural life in what looks like the Dutch countryside. What strikes me is the contrast in textures: the dense, woolly coats of the sheep against the stark, almost brittle branches of the bare trees. Tepe really lets the light play across the surfaces, giving the wool a soft, pillowy quality. Look at the way he captures the shadows. They’re not just dark patches, but almost tangible shapes that give depth to the composition. The eye is drawn to the subtle variations in tone, from the grey of the soil to the almost luminous fleece of the lambs. It reminds me a little of some of the early modernist photographers, like Alfred Stieglitz, who were also interested in elevating everyday scenes into high art. And like their work, Tepe's photograph invites us to slow down, to really see the world around us, and to appreciate the beauty in the mundane.