Vrouw en kind in een dorp in Griekenland before 1910

This photograph of a woman and child in a Greek village was made by Frédéric Boissonnas, though we don't know exactly when. Look closely at the image; you can see how the process of making photographs leaves traces. The monochromatic palette in the photograph is striking. It’s not just black and white but a range of grays that shape the landscape and figures. I think about how texture plays a role here, the rough texture of the stone walls. And how this texture relates to the surface of the print itself. Notice the shadows, they are really strong and this adds a sense of drama and depth. The light reveals the texture and depth of the village. The light and shadows add to the overall narrative and emotional impact of the image. There is definitely a story here. Boissonnas reminds me of Eugène Atget, who similarly cataloged scenes of daily life and architecture. There's a way that art, even in its documentary forms, embraces ambiguity and the poetry of multiple interpretations.