Portret van twee mannen in Volendamse klederdracht, zittend aan een tafel c. 1900 - 1910

This is a photograph of two men in Volendam dress, sat at a table, by G. Hidderley. It's tricky to put a date on it. There’s something about this sepia tone that makes me think about process. A photograph is the result of a physical and chemical process, a set of mechanical gestures. The way the light falls on the jug on the table, gives it a real material presence, a kind of sculptural form that’s quite satisfying. There's also something about the contrast between the two men; one in a woven hat, the other in a soft, fur-like cap. This speaks to the range of textures and surfaces within the work. There's an early August Sander feel to the image, he was another portraitist, but a German one! Both artists share an interest in portraying everyday people and ordinary lives. Art's like that you know, a conversation that never ends. The real beauty is in the way we can find something new each time we look.