Elf maanden oude baby Tiny Kleiterp zittend op een grasveld in Madjene op Celebes 1922

This is a small photograph of a baby, Tiny Kleiterp, sitting on a lawn in Madjene on Celebes, taken by Klaas Kleiterp. It’s printed in a sepia tone, imbuing the work with a warm quality. I can imagine Kleiterp crouching down to capture this image of Tiny, perhaps trying to capture some likeness of himself in the child’s face. The shadow of the tree creates these dark patches, almost like stains, which adds depth and contrast to the image. It makes me think about the way our family histories are imprinted on our bodies. There's something interesting about the shadows here, the way they create another layer of form and shape. Like a painter adding layers to a canvas, Klaas is layering the image with light and shadow, creating depth and atmosphere. In this tender portrait, the exchange between artist and subject transcends the limits of time, inviting the viewer to contemplate the complexities of personal and collective histories.