Schepen aan een kade in Zaandam 1904

James Higson captured these boats in Zaandam using photography, a medium that, much like painting, invites us to observe the world through a unique lens. Look at the sepia tones bathing the scene. They imbue it with a sense of nostalgia, almost like a memory fading gently over time. I imagine Higson carefully composing the shot, waiting for the right light to capture the subtle reflections on the water’s surface. The way the boats sit so still in the water and the reflections are so clear makes me think he could be playing with the theme of doubles. You can almost feel the quiet stillness of the moment. His broader body of work, like that of other painters, captures the fleeting beauty of everyday life, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. It’s a quiet moment that resonates across time, inspiring a thoughtful reflection on the world around us.