Portret van een Haida-man uit Masset, Canada 1915

This is Edward Sheriff Curtis’ photograph, Portret van een Haida-man uit Masset, Canada. Look at the way the light catches the planes of the man's face, it's so gentle, like a caress. Curtis was a master of capturing texture, and here you can almost feel the rough weave of the blanket and the soft fur of his headdress. But it's the eyes that really draw you in, those deep-set, knowing eyes. They tell a story of a life lived, of traditions held onto, and of a people facing uncertain times. There's a melancholy here, but also a quiet strength. It reminds me of some of August Sander's portraits, that same unflinching gaze, but with a deeper connection to the land and the spirit world. It's a powerful image, a reminder of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.