Gezicht op een meer before 1894

Hendrik Herman van den Berg created this small photograph, titled "Gezicht op een meer," which translates to "View of a Lake." Van den Berg, born in the Netherlands in 1875, lived through a time of significant social and political change, including the two World Wars. While the specifics of this photograph's date are unknown, its subject matter – a tranquil lake surrounded by lush trees – evokes a sense of peace and quietude, perhaps offering an escape from the turmoil of the era. The photograph is rendered in muted tones, which contributes to its dreamlike quality. The water’s surface reflects the surrounding foliage, blurring the line between reality and reflection. This dreamy effect might invite us to meditate on the complex relationship between nature, memory, and identity. What do you see reflected in this still, quiet lake? What aspects of yourself?