Mäaboberg vóór de afspuiting 1903 - 1910

This photograph, Mäaboberg vóór de afspuiting, was taken by Hendrik Doijer sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It’s all about the gritty details, isn't it? The sepia tones give it a timeless feel, but it's the texture that grabs me. Look at the way the light catches on those broken branches and uprooted trees. You can almost feel the dampness of the earth, and imagine the chaos of the scene, the aftermath of what appears to be deforestation. There's a figure standing on the hill at the top right. All alone. This photograph feels like a precursor to the kinds of ecological disaster imagery we see today. Like a warning. Photographers like Carleton Watkins, and Timothy O’Sullivan come to mind. Artists who capture the sublime, but also the cost of progress. Art is all about this ongoing conversation, about seeing and feeling, and maybe, just maybe, understanding a little better.