Berti Hoppe thuis en Herman Besselaar in de sneeuw Possibly 1936 - 1937

This series of black and white photographs by Herman Besselaar feels like a found object, a personal memento we are lucky enough to glimpse. The presentation of the images, all framed and arranged on a dark background, gives the ensemble an extra graphic quality. The contrast between the interior shots and the snowy landscapes creates an interesting dialogue; one that’s both intimate and expansive. The images of Berti Hoppe, surrounded by books, domestic objects, and textiles, feel warm and enclosed. While those of Herman Besselaar in the snow evoke a sense of the solitary figure navigating a vast, empty space. The subjects and scenes in this photo series are reminiscent of the work of Jacques Henri Lartigue, who captured his own life and times. Like Lartigue, Besselaar's images offer a personal glimpse into a specific moment in time. Through art, the personal becomes universal, and the past is brought into the present.