Drie kleine kinderen op een omgevallen boom 1913

Geldolph Adriaan Kessler made this photograph of three small children on a fallen tree at an unknown date with an unknown medium. The greyscale is so rich and textured, you can see the process Kessler went through, adjusting the light and contrast in the darkroom. The tonal range creates depth, drawing you into this intimate moment. Look at the way the light catches the children's faces; it's soft, almost dreamlike. The tree itself is a study in texture, from the smooth bark to the tangle of branches above. It’s a beautiful composition, but also a study of time, impermanence, and change. This photo reminds me a little of August Sander; there’s a similar straightforwardness and honesty. But where Sander was interested in types, Kessler seems more interested in the specifics of this place, this time, and these children. It's a poignant reminder that art isn't just about what we see, but how we see it.