Beeld van een vrouw met kind en paard in het Huis ter Meer te Maarssen c. 1903

This photograph captures a sculpture of a woman with a child and horse at Huis ter Meer in Maarssen. It was made by an anonymous artist. The monochromatic palette and photographic medium give the sculpture a soft, diffused quality, almost as if it’s emerging from a dream. The way the light catches the folds of the woman's drapery is particularly striking. You can almost feel the weight and texture of the fabric. I keep coming back to the woman's gaze – or lack thereof. Her eyes are covered. This is such a strong formal element. What could it mean? Is she blind to the world, or does she possess a different kind of vision? It's this ambiguity that really draws me in. I’m reminded of the work of Man Ray, especially his surrealist photographs. Like Man Ray, this artist plays with light and shadow to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. Ultimately, this photograph is about the power of suggestion and the beauty of imperfection.