Vier meisjes op een bank aan zee, Japan 1900 - 1907

This stereoscopic card, made by T. Enami in Yokohama, Japan, shows four women resting on a bench. I imagine Enami setting up his camera, adjusting the focus, and carefully composing the shot to capture the scene just so. I’m struck by the subdued sepia tones, which give the image a soft, almost dreamlike quality. You know, sometimes I think about how the limitations of a medium can actually enhance its expressive potential. Enami was probably thinking a lot about light. Each element is rendered with such clarity, from the delicate blossoms of the cherry trees to the intricate patterns of the women’s kimonos. You can almost feel the gentle breeze rustling through the trees, or hear the murmur of conversation among the women. And the way the women are posed, casually yet elegantly, reminds me of Degas’ paintings of dancers – capturing a moment of quiet repose amid the hustle and bustle of daily life. It's a subtle and complex dance of looking.