Lijk van Arthur Leroy, Raincy Possibly 1902

This photograph, *Lijk van Arthur Leroy, Raincy*, was taken in 1902 by an anonymous artist, and what strikes me about it is its directness. There's no hiding, no softening of the stark reality of death; it's there, presented in all its grim detail. The monochrome palette lends a timeless quality, stripping away distractions and focusing our attention on the textures and forms. Look at the stark contrast between the smooth skin and the rough wooden planks, or the way the light catches the contours of the face. There’s a vulnerability in the exposed neck, a finality in the stillness of the body. The clamp pressing into the neck – what does it tell us about the circumstances surrounding this image? It reminds me of some of the early medical photography, a raw and unflinching look at the human condition. But unlike scientific documentation, there’s an undeniable sense of empathy here, a quiet acknowledgment of our shared mortality. It’s a haunting image, yes, but also a reminder of the power of art to confront us with uncomfortable truths.