Aangemeerde zeil- en roeiboten c. 1920 - 1940

In this early photograph by G. Hidderley, sailboats and rowboats nestle against the pier, capturing a quiet moment by the water. I find myself wondering about the artist’s experience, what they were thinking as they framed the scene. The sepia tones lend a nostalgic air, don’t they? Looking at the texture, the graininess of the print, I imagine the artist carefully selecting the viewpoint to capture the boats, water, and buildings in the background, all receding into the distance. The placement of the boats, their reflections shimmering on the water, creates a sense of depth. There’s a dialogue happening here, across time and medium, reminding me how artists—then and now—continually exchange ideas and inspire each other. It is a form of embodied expression which embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations and meaning over fixed or definitive readings.