Lambertus Hendrik van Berk c. 1914

This hand-colored photographic slide, made by Lambertus Hendrik van Berk, captures a moment in time with a quiet intimacy. It's important to remember that photography, even in its early days, was as much about technological innovation as it was about artistic expression. Van Berk’s choice to hand-color the image is interesting. This process, involving the application of dyes to a black-and-white print, added an element of human touch to a medium that was otherwise purely mechanical. It’s a subtle intervention that softens the image, giving it a dreamlike quality. The colors themselves—muted greens, purples, and browns—speak to the landscape and the quiet repose of the boy within it. In a time when photographic processes were becoming increasingly industrialized, the act of hand-coloring can be seen as a way to reclaim a sense of individuality. So, next time you look at a photograph, consider the human effort that went into its making. It's a reminder that even in the age of mass production, the hand can still leave its mark.