Stoffende vrouw 1945

This photograph, ‘Stoffende vrouw’, in the Rijksmuseum, captures a moment frozen in time, made by Anefo with a camera, of course. It’s black and white, which gives it a timeless, almost ghostly quality, don't you think? The whole scene is built around the woman and her movement; captured in the act of dusting, she’s bent over a chair, her apron a flurry of tiny dots and dashes. Everything is in motion, even if it is still: her unseen hand is moving, as is the light in the room. You can almost feel the dust motes dancing in the air! The photograph has so many subtle details: the texture of the brick fireplace, the shadow cast by the lamp, the simple vase of flowers on the table. It reminds me a little of some of the early street photography by Lisette Model, which captured the everyday lives of ordinary people with a similar sense of empathy and directness. It’s like both artists remind us that beauty and meaning can be found in the most unexpected places.