Rustende mensen op een grasveld temidden van besneeuwde heuveltoppen c. 1920 - 1945

Geldolph Adriaan Kessler captured this image of resting figures on a grassy hill against snow-capped mountains using photography, though the specific date is a mystery. What strikes me is the way the landscape is articulated through a narrow tonal range. It’s like he's using shades of gray as building blocks, constructing depth and texture with subtle variations. The surface of the photograph feels almost velvety, and the monochromatic palette gives it a timeless quality. The composition is divided between the close up figures and landscape in the foreground and the impressive mountain range behind them. The eye is drawn to the contrast between the details of the grass and the smooth faces of the mountains. There is a lot of depth for such a small picture. Thinking about other landscape artists, I’m reminded of the stark beauty in some of Ansel Adams’s black and white photographs. Both artists invite us to see the world through a lens that values simplicity and the play of light and shadow. Ultimately, this image invites contemplation. It's not about one right answer, but about allowing the work to spark thoughts and feelings, maybe about your last trip, or the one to come.