Jongens met opgestroopte broekspijpen bij een drooggevallen vissersschip op het strand bij Scheveningen 1904

James Higson made this photograph of boys with rolled-up trouser legs by a beached fishing boat on the beach at Scheveningen. The sepia tones of the photograph cast the scene in a nostalgic light, evoking a sense of bygone days, and a slower pace of life connected to the sea. I wonder what Higson thought about the future for these children growing up in a fishing community? Did he ever wish he could run away to the seaside too? The composition is kind of cinematic, the way the figures are arranged. The muted tones and composition create a feeling of melancholy, but also of resilience. Looking at this work, I'm reminded of other photographers, who captured the essence of everyday life. There is a quiet conversation between artists across time, and each work builds upon the others.