Georges Bergsma op driewieler in tuin op Sumatra 1918

This photograph, taken in Sumatra, shows a young Georges Bergsma on a tricycle. The grayscale image presents a study in contrasts and textures, inviting us to consider its formal structure. The composition is anchored by the child at its center, his bright sailor suit a focal point against the dense foliage. The blurred background creates a shallow depth of field, flattening the space and emphasizing the interplay between the foreground and the obscured forms behind. The angle offers a direct view, engaging the viewer. The lack of sharp definition, typical of early photography, contributes to the image's dreamlike quality, inviting contemplation. Note how the framing of the shot, seemingly spontaneous, aligns with the structuralist idea that even unintentional forms possess inherent meaning. The image functions as a sign, encoding ideas about childhood, colonialism, and the act of representation itself.