Verkoopster en een man met een handkar op de hoek van de Lijnbaansgracht en de Spiegelgracht 1904

This photograph by James Higson captures a moment at the corner of Lijnbaansgracht and Spiegelgracht, likely taken in the late 19th or early 20th century. Look at the way the light falls on the buildings, almost uniformly, giving the scene a flat, documentary feel, yet the eye is drawn to the interaction between the seller and the man with the cart. The sepia tone gives the image a dreamlike quality, turning what would be a mundane snapshot into a piece of art. There’s a great contrast between the solid, angular architecture, and the rounded forms of the figures and carts. The image makes me think of Atget, with his quiet observations of urban life, or even Bernd and Hilla Becher with their typologies. It's a slice of life that transcends its time, reminding us that art is an ongoing conversation. There are multiple ways to see and experience it, all equally valid.