Onbekende etende mannen before 1920

This black and white photograph by Donald Mennie captures a group of men eating. You can almost feel the warmth of the scene through the smoke, the dark hues, and the close proximity between the figures. I try to imagine what Mennie might have been thinking when he took the picture. What kind of exchange took place between him and his subjects? Was it posed or spur of the moment? Did Mennie know these men personally, or did he meet them briefly? The photograph captures a candid moment of everyday life. The composition creates a sense of closeness and immediacy. You can hear the clatter of metal spoons against metal pots. The men are connected through their shared ritual, and in looking at the image we are invited to share in this fleeting moment. Artists are constantly in dialogue with each other. Mennie’s photograph reminds us of the importance of bearing witness, capturing shared experiences, and recognizing the value of human connection.