Portret van Meinard Dorus Mijer 1930 - 1935

This tiny portrait of Meinard Dorus Mijer was made with photography, by an anonymous artist, at a time when taking a picture was still a pretty big deal. It's set into the cardboard of a photo album page, the corners held down with delicate, decorative, triangular corners, like a precious painting. The palette is grayscale; it's all about the tones, the shadows, and how the light hits Mr. Mijer's face. The texture comes from the paper itself, and the way the light interacts with its surface. Look at the subtle gradations in the background, or the way his dark suit seems to absorb all the light. This photograph is so understated, so quiet. It's like a whisper from the past, an intimate moment captured in time. It reminds me a little of the quiet, introspective portraits by Vilhelm Hammershøi, who could make an entire world out of a simple, muted palette. This isn't just a picture; it's a feeling, a mood, a little piece of history that still speaks to us today.