Zes reproducties van fotografische en geschilderde portretten van Jacob Maris, Willem Maris, Hendrik Willem Mesdag, Jozef Israëls, Bernard Blommers en Anton Mauve 1905 - 1906

This is a page from ‘Lindeboom’s Fotografie Album’ featuring reproductions of photographic and painted portraits. What I love about this is how it’s kind of meta, right? Copies of copies. It is a fascinating insight into how artists were seen and presented in the past. The use of black and white photography gives a timeless quality, each portrait framed, like a miniature painting. Look closely, and you’ll notice that each sitter has a particular pose and expression, maybe designed to convey something about their artistry, or maybe it was just what was expected at the time. The very act of compiling these portraits into an album suggests an effort to document and celebrate a specific artistic community. It makes me think about contemporary artists like Gerhard Richter, and his Atlas project, a collection of photographs, clippings and sketches which were source material for his paintings, but then became an artwork in itself. It is such a great reminder that art isn't made in a vacuum; it's always a conversation.