Fotoalbum van vakanties in Noorwegen en in Frankrijk van de familie van Hendrik Herman van den Berg, 1927-1929 1927 - 1929

Hendrik Herman van den Berg's photo album from 1927 to 1929 is like a muted painting, all in shades of somber grey. It's an understated work, especially when you think of vacation albums and how joyful they usually are. The texture of the cover feels almost like charcoal on paper. The writing is so delicate it reminds me of Cy Twombly's scribbles, but with more intentionality, more control. Each letter feels like a carefully placed mark, a gesture meant to capture a moment in time. The contrast between the dark cover and the light script makes the words pop, like memories emerging from the depths of the past. Look at how the 'N' in 'Noorwegen' curls and dances, it’s almost playful. You can feel the artist’s hand, carefully crafting each letter. It reminds me of the work of Ed Ruscha, who also uses text as image. But unlike Ruscha’s bold, graphic style, van den Berg’s album feels more intimate. Art, like memory, is an ongoing conversation. What do you think the pictures inside might show?