Groepsportret van vijftien patiënten uit het ziekenhuis in Herisau, Zwitserland, die samen met Isabel Wachenheimer verbleven in dit ziekenhuis Possibly 1945 - 1947

This photograph, taken by an anonymous artist, captures a group of fifteen patients and Isabel Wachenheimer at a hospital in Herisau, Switzerland. The image is rendered in monochrome, a product of the photographic materials and processes available at the time. The photograph's surface is matte and textured, giving it a tactile quality that invites close inspection. Each figure is captured in a moment of stillness, their postures and expressions hinting at stories of illness, recovery, and companionship. Light and shadow play across their faces and clothing, emphasizing the humanity within each individual. Consider the labor involved in producing this image. From the cultivation of materials to the development and printing process, photography was once a highly skilled craft. The anonymous artist would have carefully considered the composition, lighting, and exposure to capture this moment in time. By looking at the photograph in this way, we can appreciate the significance of both the materials and the making in understanding the full meaning of the artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between art and craft.