Dodaars op nest in het water c. 1870 - 1940

This black and white photograph shows a little grebe, or ‘dodaars’ on a nest in the water. Looking at it, I imagine Burdet out in the wetlands, waiting patiently, maybe swatting mosquitoes away while hoping to capture a little miracle. The photo is divided into two parts, and you can see the same scene from slightly different angles – it's like the artist is trying to show us a 3D version of reality! The fine grain gives it a tactile feeling. I can almost feel the dampness of the water and the slight breeze through the reeds. The composition is simple, yet the play of light and shadow creates a sense of depth. Thinking about the context, this reminds me of other artists who were obsessed with capturing the fleeting beauty of nature, like some of the Impressionists. It’s a constant give and take between feeling and seeing that makes the work so interesting. What do you think the artist was feeling at that moment?