Twee mannen in Volendamse klederdracht staand in een zeilschip c. 1900 - 1910

This photograph by G. Hidderley depicts two men in Volendam standing in a sailboat, with the absence of color emphasizing form and texture. Look closely at the way the light catches the sail, creating deep shadows and stark highlights. It's as if the artist were sculpting with light, carving out shapes and defining the space with subtle gradations of tone. The surface has a tactile quality, inviting you to reach out and run your fingers along the rough grain of the wood or the coarse weave of the sails. See how the men dressed in traditional attire become part of the vessel. There’s something about how G. Hidderley framed the scene that reminds me of the work of Gustave Caillebotte. Both artists shared a fascination with modern life and the changing urban landscape. And like Caillebotte, G. Hidderley invites us to consider the beauty and complexity of the world around us. So, take a moment to lose yourself in the details and let your imagination set sail.