Mannen melken koeien in een wei aan de Kalfjeslaan bij Amsterdam c. 1905 - 1907

Folkert Idzes de Jong captured this photograph, depicting men milking cows in a meadow along the Kalfjeslaan near Amsterdam. The photograph presents a serene rural scene, marked by the symmetrical arrangement of trees in the background. The horizontal composition emphasizes the flatness of the Dutch landscape, while the placement of the cows and men in the foreground adds depth. Light and shadow play across the scene, enhancing the textures of the grass and the cows' hides, bringing a tactile dimension to the photograph. The photograph’s muted tones and balanced structure invite contemplation, and through its formal elements, the photograph becomes more than just a record of rural life; it is a study in form, light, and spatial arrangement. De Jong's work uses these formal elements to communicate a tranquil yet structured view of the Dutch countryside.