Zittend op de stenen leeuwen, de beelden voor landhuis De Paauw in Wassenaar 1912

This vintage photograph, made by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler, captures a moment in time at the landhuis De Paauw in Wassenaar, though we aren't sure exactly when. It’s a fascinating look at how the past is captured, developed, and presented through a sepia filter. I like the way the photograph has an honesty and depth to it, like when you are sketching and keep the original marks on the paper instead of erasing them. This photo captures the image of a building, but more importantly the people sitting on the stoop. The photo's surface has a kind of soft focus, like a memory being recalled. It's not about perfect clarity; it's about the feeling of being there, the texture of the moment. And then, you notice how the light filters through the trees, casting shadows that soften the edges of everything. It reminds me a bit of the tonalism of someone like Whistler, but with a more snapshot feel. It’s a simple image, but it invites you to get lost in its details, and perhaps dream up stories about the people who sat for it.