Is fotografie kunst? c. 1905 - 1906

Laurens Hansma made this intriguing artwork, whose title asks, "Is photography art?", without a specific date. Looking at this piece, it’s not about bold strokes, but something much more subtle. The palette is muted, almost ghostly, whispering rather than shouting. What interests me is this intricate floral pattern. It’s almost like a wallpaper, creating a field of tiny details that your eyes can get lost in. It creates a unique kind of texture, not from paint, but from the density of the printed pattern. There’s something quiet and subversive about this work. Its delicate surface belies a deeper question about the nature of art itself. It reminds me a bit of the work of Agnes Martin, in its meditative quality and quiet insistence on the power of the subtle gesture. Ultimately, Hansma’s piece suggests that art doesn’t always need to be loud to be profound.