Vijf patiënten met struma 1928

This photograph, Vijf patiënten met struma (Five patients with goiter), was taken in 1928 by the Hospitaal Batak Instituut. Imagine the photographer, framing this shot, trying to capture something essential about these five people. Look at their faces, their expressions. There's a quiet dignity, a sense of resilience despite their condition. The photographer has chosen a stark, unadorned composition, focusing our attention on the individuals themselves. The light is gentle and even, revealing the textures of their skin. It makes me think about portraiture and what it means to really see someone, to acknowledge their humanity, even when documenting illness or hardship. It’s impossible not to think of other photographers such as August Sander, whose series documenting the German population is hard to get out of one’s head. There is something similar going on here. This image is a reminder that photography, like painting, is about looking, seeing, and making connections across time and cultures.