Willem van den Berg op zijn boerderij in Transvaal, Zuid-Afrika 1967 - 1971

This photograph by Willem Jacob van den Berg captures his farm in Transvaal, South Africa. The high contrast black and white tones give the image a timeless feel, like a memory surfacing from the past. The photograph is a study in texture, from the rough-hewn wooden fence to the smooth hides of the cattle. The surface of the print has a slightly grainy quality, emphasizing the immediacy of the scene. Note how the eye is drawn to the center of the photograph, where a group of figures are attending to a fallen animal. This detail provides a focal point, a mini-drama unfolding amidst the everyday life of the farm. Van den Berg's work reminds me of photographs by August Sander, capturing the everyday realities of life with an unflinching eye. Both artists share an interest in documenting the world around them, presenting it with a mix of detachment and deep empathy. Ultimately, this image invites us to reflect on the nature of labor, the relationship between humans and animals, and the beauty found in the most unexpected places.