Vrouwen in klederdracht met manden, staande voor het Bureau voor vreemdelingenverkeer 1920 - 1940

This photograph, by G. Hidderley, captures women in traditional dress with baskets, standing in front of the Bureau for Foreign Affairs. The sepia tones lend the image a timeless quality, emphasizing the stark contrast between the figures and the institutional backdrop. I’m drawn to the way the light catches the women’s bonnets, creating a halo effect. It’s as if the photographer wanted to convey something of their internal states. Look at the texture of the brickwork and the way the light reflects on the glass of the windows. It's possible to imagine the cool interior of the building beyond. Each woman is engaged in her own thoughts, a series of introspective moments, captured in a single frame. This image is like a scene from an early film, perhaps something by Strand or Stieglitz. It embraces ambiguity, capturing a moment in time that invites reflection.