Zicht langs een water op Java met aan weerszijden woningen. 1900 - 1915

Johanna Hermina Marmelstein captured this photograph of a waterside view in Java, using a camera and photographic paper. The composition is structured around the waterway, its dark surface reflecting the buildings and sky, creating a mirrored symmetry. This division emphasizes the verticality of the buildings and the horizontality of the water. The monochromatic palette enhances the contrast between light and shadow, emphasizing the textures of the buildings and the ripples on the water’s surface. Marmelstein's careful arrangement of the boats in the foreground draws the eye into the scene, leading viewers towards the bridge in the distance. The photograph's formal structure invites contemplation on themes of reflection and duality, presenting a constructed view of the landscape. By employing a formal lens, the artwork challenges our perceptions, prompting questions about the nature of representation itself.