On the Lake c. 20th century

"On the Lake" was made by Robert Demachy, though I couldn't tell you exactly when or with what materials. What I do know is that Demachy was trying to do something different. It's like he's asking: can photography be impressionistic and painterly? The image is hazy, almost dreamlike, with the light diffused across the water. He's really working that surface, you can see he's manipulated the emulsion, layering tones, building up the image with this soft, velvety texture, and it gives the impression of movement, like the water is actually rippling before you. I'm thinking of Whistler's nocturnes – these quiet, tonal studies that are about atmosphere and mood. I think Demachy is searching for something similar here, for a way to express a feeling, a moment in time, rather than just recording a scene. It's an image that invites contemplation, and reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation across time, styles, and mediums.