Motorschepen op de Maas, aan de horizon (vermoedelijk) de Barendrechtse brug c. 1905 - 1907

Folkert Idzes de Jong made this small photograph of motor vessels on the Maas. The sepia tone gives the scene a timeless quality. It reminds me that artmaking is about seeing, about how the artist chooses to frame a world. I’m drawn to the way the light plays across the water, creating a sense of depth and movement. The surface texture is smooth, but the composition, with its careful arrangement of boats and bridge, suggests a deep understanding of form and space. It is about a particular time of day and the quality of light, the artist uses photography to capture a moment in time. The photo isn't just about recording what's there. I see echoes of artists like, say, James Whistler, in de Jong's subtle tonal variations. Like de Jong, Whistler sought to capture the essence of a scene through careful observation and understated mark-making. Ultimately, it’s about an invitation to explore the fleeting moments of everyday life.