Alphons Diepenbrock staand c. 1895 - 1925

Here we see a photographic portrait of Alphons Diepenbrock by W.G. Hondius van den Broek, dimensions height 130 mm, width 180 mm. Look at how the artist has manipulated the light and shadow to create a sense of depth and intrigue! In terms of materials, the texture of the photograph looks almost like the surface of a lithograph, slightly grainy. The light is playing on the brickwork of the house, as well as the shutters. Consider how the process shapes our emotional response to the work. The high contrast, almost solarized effect, gives it a dreamlike quality. It's not quite reality, it's a representation of memory, maybe even a little bit eerie. That the artist has chosen to show the sitter in front of a house, rather than inside, feels significant. This feels reminiscent of the work of Eugène Atget, who photographed Parisian architecture in the early 20th century. It suggests the image is about a person in a place, not just a person. It leaves room for interpretation.