Gezelschap met zuidwesters tijdens storm en regen aan boord van zeilschip c. 1925

This photograph by Hendrik Herman van den Berg captures a group braving a storm on a sailing ship. It’s a study in monochromes, capturing the grey sky and rough seas, and the darker clothing of the ship’s crew, all merging into a symphony of grey and black. Look closely and you can see the material qualities of the original photograph, the way the light catches the surface, and how this affects the way we feel. The grainy texture almost makes me feel like I'm there, smelling the salt water. The darker areas create a contrast that emphasizes the harshness of the conditions and the crew's resolve. It reminds me of some of Gerhard Richter’s black and white paintings, and how he uses the photographic as a starting point. Like Richter, Van den Berg seems to capture something more than just the visual, evoking a feeling of stoicism and human endurance. Ultimately, it is a testament to how art, in any form, can encapsulate fleeting moments and universal emotions.