Thea 1939 - 1944

This photo album, titled Thea, of unknown date and authorship, lives at the Rijksmuseum. The album is more than just a collection of snapshots; it's a curated narrative, an anonymous attempt to freeze memories in time. Imagine the person who assembled this album, carefully choosing each photograph and arranging them on the page. What stories did they want to tell? Was it an act of remembrance, a tribute to a loved one, or simply a way to make sense of their world? I think of Agnes Martin. Did she ever assemble a photo album? Each image is like a brushstroke, contributing to the overall composition of the album. The black and white palette evokes a sense of nostalgia, while the varying sizes and shapes of the photographs create a dynamic rhythm across the pages. It's a deeply human gesture, one that speaks to our innate desire to connect with others and to leave our mark on the world. And like all acts of creativity, it invites us to slow down, observe, and reflect on the beauty and complexity of life.