Gezicht op een beeld van een gekruisigde jezus met op de achtergrond bomen before 1902

Here we have an image of a crucifix, caught by H. Bachmann’s camera. What strikes me is how the image looks almost like a charcoal drawing, the subtle gradations of tone giving the sky and figure a real sense of presence. It has the feel of a considered, thoughtful artistic process. The clouds are really what make it, looming behind the figure on the cross. The artist is using chiaroscuro, really bringing out the contrast in the image, with the muted greys sitting in contrast to the bright white sky. The figure itself seems shrouded in shadow. Look at the detail in the branches of the tree, these fine details, almost scratching out the image, gives the image a sense of real depth. It reminds me of some of Gerhard Richter’s grey paintings, using tone and texture to make something both incredibly material, but also deeply spiritual. Ultimately, the beauty of art lies in its ambiguity.