Portret van baby Tiny Kleiterp in een tuin in Pangka op Java 1921

This photograph of baby Tiny Kleiterp in a garden on Java, was taken by Klaas Kleiterp sometime in the early 20th century. It’s a delicate and ethereal image, almost faded into memory, which gives the work a contemplative mood. Look closely at the texture, how the light seems to diffuse the forms, softening the edges. The subtle gradations of tone across Tiny’s bonnet and dress create a sense of depth and volume, while the dark areas of foliage behind her emphasize the baby's delicate features. The overall impression is one of gentle observation, a fleeting moment captured in time. The way that the photo has aged reminds me of Corot's landscapes with their silvery light and soft focus, evoking a similar mood of quiet contemplation. Art making can be seen as an ongoing conversation across time. It can be a form which embraces ambiguity, capturing the essence of a moment.