Vier foto's van kamperen op eilanden in de Loosdrechtse Plassen 1910 - 1917

Carolina (Loentje) Frederika Onnen made this set of four photographs, entitled "Vier foto's van kamperen op eilanden in de Loosdrechtse Plassen," in 1916 and 1926. In these sepia-toned prints, the figures seem to emerge from the very substance of memory itself. Look at how the light filters through the trees, creating a dreamy haze around the edges of each scene. I can imagine Onnen carefully composing each shot, thinking about the fleeting moments of leisure and camaraderie she wanted to capture. These aren't just snapshots; they're little time capsules. The soft focus and muted tones evoke a sense of nostalgia, a longing for simpler times. When I look at these images, I feel connected to the work of other artists, like Julia Margaret Cameron, who also used photography to explore themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time. Onnen reminds us that artmaking is an act of preservation, a way of holding onto what we cherish most. In sharing her vision, she invites us to reflect on our own histories, our own connections to the people and places that have shaped us.