Groepsportret van acht onbekende vrouwen op een bordes, allen met hoed 1902 - 1912

This photographic print of eight women in hats on a porch, was made by Jules David sometime between 1870 and 1890. David coaxes a wide range of tone and depth from a narrow palette, creating an evocative, sepia-toned record of late 19th-century life. It feels like the photographic process is on full display. The texture is key here, the shadows play across the brickwork and the women's garments, giving depth to the piece. Look at the woman standing in the centre of the image, the folds of her skirt seem almost liquid, captured as they fall. The detail and artistry in the image are in these considered, quiet areas. This reminds me of the photo-based work of Gerhard Richter, with its ambiguous, blurry quality. Like Richter, David seems interested in the limitations and possibilities inherent in photographic representation, creating art that embraces nuance over clarity.