Staande vrouw in koto 1900 - 1910

This photograph, "Standing Woman in Koto," was created by C. Kersten & Co. The cool blues and greens give off a calming vibe, but the white patterns all over the Koto dress add a lively spark. You can almost feel the movement in those swirling shapes. The dress, with its repeating patterns, shows how something simple can become mesmerizing when it is repeated. Looking at the details of the woman's dress, it reminds me of when I’m in the studio, layering paint, adding and subtracting until something unexpected emerges. The way the light catches on different parts of the fabric creates highlights and shadows that make you notice how the dress flows. Thinking about the photograph as a whole, it reminds me a little of Henri Matisse, especially his interest in patterns and color. Both invite us to see beauty in the everyday, finding joy in the simple act of looking.