Groepsportret tijdens een diner met George Hendrik Breitner en anderen 1910 - 1923

This photograph from the Rijksmuseum shows a group portrait during a dinner with George Hendrik Breitner and others. It’s anonymous, no one knows who made it. It’s so interesting to see how the light catches the edges of the glasses on the table. The artist seems to be exploring the materiality of black and white photography, pushing its tonal range to capture the textures of the tablecloth and the intricate patterns of the wallpaper. There is something about the way the sitters are positioned around the table that reminds me of the painting 'The Last Supper'. Look at the man seated to the left of the table, he seems to be very important, possibly the host. His pose is very casual, the artist has captured him relaxed, as though he did not realise his photograph was being taken. This photograph reminds me a little of the work of Garry Winogrand, they both capture a moment in time, a feeling, rather than striving for a perfectly posed shot. Ultimately, art is about conversation, across time, between artists.