Portret van een onbekende baby 1900 - 1914

This is a portrait of an unknown baby made by Firma Nieuwstad, and what strikes me is the beautiful chiaroscuro effect they've achieved in this photograph. It has a limited colour palette, almost monochrome. I can imagine Firma Nieuwstad carefully arranging the light and shadow to sculpt the form of the baby. The soft gradations of tone create a sense of depth and volume, making the figure seem almost tangible. Look at the texture of the baby's woolen jumper, how the subtle variations in light accentuate the knit. It reminds me of the way painters use glazing to build up layers of colour and luminosity. It is like the subject is emerging from the darkness into the light. You get a sense of the photographer's hand in crafting this image, manipulating the material qualities to achieve a desired effect. It's a reminder that all art forms share common concerns of light, form, and expression, artists in different media are always learning from each other.