Anton bij sluis in achterdam van "Ma retraite" 1903 - 1910

Hendrik Doijer made this photograph of Anton by the lock in the back dam of "Ma Retraite", but we don't know exactly when. What strikes me first is how the light catches Anton's clothes, making him almost glow against the dense, dark jungle. The photograph's surface has a tactile quality. You can see the texture of the paper and the subtle variations in tone, a process that feels almost like building up layers in a painting. Look how the composition emphasizes the contrast between the open space where Anton stands and the thick, almost impenetrable vegetation surrounding him. It's as if the jungle is both a backdrop and a character in the scene, pressing in on Anton's small figure. This reminds me a bit of Edward Steichen's photographs, where light and shadow play equally important roles in defining the mood. And just like Steichen, Doijer invites us to consider not just what we see, but how we see, reminding us that every image is filtered through the artist's eye and shaped by the choices they make.