Politiebureau in Paramaribo 1900 - 1910

This photograph, "Politiebureau in Paramaribo", by Eugen Klein, captures a moment in time with a subdued palette. Look at the way light is handled here, almost evenly distributed, which flattens the image, reminiscent of early photography, where the process itself was so present. There's a certain stillness to the scene, despite the people populating the street. The buildings are rendered with a directness, their forms solid yet softened by the lack of sharp contrast. The texture is smooth, almost absent, emphasizing the photographic process. But it's the subtle gradations of tone that draw you in – the way the light catches the edges of buildings, creating a delicate sense of depth. It makes me think of Eugène Atget, another photographer who documented urban spaces with a similar quiet intensity. Both artists invite us to contemplate the everyday, to find beauty in the mundane. In this photograph, Klein offers us a glimpse into a world that feels both familiar and distant, inviting us to pause and reflect on the passage of time.