Portret van Gerard Herman Broos, zes jaar oud 1908 - 1909

Carel Frederik Cordes made this tiny portrait of Gerard Herman Broos, who was six years old at the time. It’s a photograph, so it’s all about capturing light, shadow, and the subtle variations in tone. The image is sepia, almost monochromatic, but that doesn’t mean it lacks depth. The way Cordes plays with light across Gerard’s face and sailor suit creates a sense of volume and texture. It’s interesting how the softness of the child's face contrasts with the sharp lines of his collar. This little detail, the white trim of his sailor suit, just pops, doesn't it? It's amazing to think that photography, like painting, is also about creating an illusion of depth on a flat surface, through careful arrangement of light and dark. This portrait makes me think of early Man Ray, who also loved experimenting with light and shadow to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. It shows how art is an ongoing conversation, with artists building on each other's ideas across time.