Portret van twee onbekende meisjes before 1902

This photograph of two unknown girls was made by Frédéric Boissonnas, and appears here as an illustration within a book. I like the tonal range, those subtly modulated greys shifting into each other. It gives a sense of depth and space, even in this relatively small image. The girls themselves are an interesting study in contrast. The one on the left seems more self-assured, standing straight, with a faint smile, whereas the one on the right is turned away, perhaps shy? Looking at the image as a whole, you could say it is about the way we see and remember childhood. It's like catching a fleeting moment, a memory resurfacing, not quite clear but full of feeling. It reminds me a little of the work of Eugène Atget, who also captured everyday life with such clarity and sensitivity, seeing the extraordinary within the ordinary. It's a reminder that art isn't always about grand gestures but can be found in the quiet observation of the world around us.