Vakantie in de bergen c. 1902

Geldolph Adriaan Kessler made this stereograph titled 'Vakantie in de bergen' with photographic print around the turn of the century. You know, when I look at this image, I can't help but wonder about Kessler. I imagine him setting up his camera, carefully framing the shot to capture the nuances of that moment in time. In this work, the contrast between the darks and lights pulls me in, creating a sense of depth and shadow that feels very painterly. I wonder what he was thinking as he framed the shot? Did he see himself as a documentarian, capturing a slice of life, or was he more interested in the formal elements of the composition, the interplay of light and shadow, the subtle gradations of tone? What did he want this photograph to say? As artists, we’re constantly grappling with these questions, trying to make sense of the world around us and translate it into something meaningful, something that resonates with others. And in that process, we’re also in conversation with all the artists who came before us, learning from their experiments, building on their insights, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.