Exterieur van de Chinese Sociëteit in Paramaribo before 1927

This photograph of the Chinese Sociëteit in Paramaribo was taken by Eugen Klein, and I think the soft sepia tones and slightly blurry details give it an atmosphere of a memory. I am really drawn to the way the photograph plays with light and shadow, especially in the architectural details of the building. The way the light filters through the columns of the veranda makes me think of how a painter might use glazes to build up depth and luminosity in a painting. The way the photographer has framed the building, slightly off-center, feels like a conscious decision to create a sense of balance and visual interest. It’s not just a documentation of a building, it’s a composition. This feels related to the work of someone like Bernd and Hilla Becher, who photographed industrial structures with such care and attention. Both approaches remind us that art isn't just about what you see, but how you see it.