Vissersschepen in de haven van Volendam c. 1900 - 1910

Curator: Looking at this gelatin-silver print, "Vissersschepen in de haven van Volendam" (Fishing boats in the port of Volendam), created around 1900-1910 by G. Hidderley, one is immediately struck by its subdued and almost melancholic beauty. What is your impression? Editor: My first impression is of an astonishing composition, the masts and sails creating a complex grid against the sky. The reflections in the water also create repeating and inverted forms, enhancing the depth of the pictorial space. It has a powerful graphic quality. Curator: It absolutely does. For me, those masts and sails evoke a forest, a kind of sacred grove dedicated to the sea. The town of Volendam has a very strong cultural identity, deeply tied to its maritime history and fishing traditions. I see this image as capturing that intimate relationship. Editor: I appreciate that perspective. Focusing on Hidderley's photographic technique, you see the soft focus is quite deliberate. The almost hazy quality de-emphasizes detail, shifting the focus towards tonal values and compositional balance. Curator: Yes, that lack of sharp detail pulls me into a world of memory and nostalgia, reminding me of old folktales and traditions passed down through generations in this region. The boats, the rigging, the water… it is as if he's photographing an echo of a way of life. Editor: I find the tonality remarkable as well, especially the way the pale grey of the sky meets the darker water. Curator: Absolutely, there’s an undeniably serene feeling emanating from this port scene, almost a suspension in time. A visual hymn to Volendam's enduring connection to the sea. Editor: Perhaps a visual meditation. Certainly a study in contrasts and pictorial strategies. Considering both its representational and abstract qualities, the print stands out. Curator: A way to capture not only what the harbor *looked* like, but what it *felt* like to be there, steeped in tradition. Editor: Agreed. It makes you want to examine other works to see the variations in his pictorial structure and composition. Curator: Well, hopefully our audience feels similarly inspired!