Portret van de tenor Louis Dister, als Marouf in de opera Marouf 1938

René Lonthie made this small photo of Louis Dister as Marouf sometime around 1938, likely using a simple camera and darkroom techniques. It’s fascinating how a humble photograph can capture such a theatrical presence. Look at the way the light falls across Dister’s face and costume, creating a soft, almost dreamlike quality. The texture of the fabric seems palpable, while the shadows hint at the drama of the opera itself. And then there's the handwritten inscription, a personal touch that adds another layer of meaning to the image. The ink meanders across the surface, a gesture of intimacy. This piece reminds me a little of Nadar’s portraits of Parisian artists and intellectuals, in the way it captures the essence of a performer in a specific moment in time. Ultimately, it's a testament to the power of art to capture not just what things look like, but how they feel.