Bekeuren van een stroper c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe captured this scene, "Bekeuren van een stroper," with gelatin silver print. The photograph is dominated by sepia tones, creating a somewhat somber mood. The composition is structured around the three figures positioned in a triangular formation, set against a dense forest backdrop. The figures' placement and interaction create a narrative tension. The central figure, presumably the gamekeeper, lays a hand on the shoulder of the poacher, while the third figure observes, holding a pen and pad, documenting the event. This arrangement echoes classical compositions. The linear structure of the bare trees contrasts with the soft, diffused light, highlighting the starkness of the encounter. Tepe uses the formal elements of the photograph to comment on social and legal structures, framing the interaction within a landscape that serves as both setting and symbol. The scene’s subdued tones further emphasize the gravity of the situation, presenting a tableau of authority, transgression, and accountability. The image invites us to consider the power dynamics embedded within the landscape.