Bezoek aan Leiden 1930 - 1931

Here's an album page of black and white photographs by Berti Hoppe, titled "Bezoek aan Leiden," or, "Visit to Leiden". Arranged in a grid, the photos suggest a journey through the Dutch city, each a visual stop along the way. Canals are a main theme, reflecting the buildings and sky, with a windmill and classical building too. I find myself imagining the artist carefully framing each shot, trying to capture the essence of a place. What was Hoppe thinking, feeling, as they pressed the shutter? Maybe there was a desire to hold onto memories, to freeze a moment in time. The texture of the paper and the contrast between the images evoke a sense of nostalgia, of something cherished and preserved. It’s so intimate – like rummaging around in someone else’s memories. Photography is a way of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world, like painting. Each photograph offering a unique way to understand, appreciate, and connect with the world around us.