Portret van twee onbekende vrouwen in het uniform van het Leger des Heils c. 1914

This photograph from 1914 by Hebblewhite captures two women in Salvation Army uniforms, and what strikes me is the way the sepia tone flattens the image, turning it almost into a study in texture. Look closely, and you’ll see the incredible detail: the crisp lines of their uniforms, the subtle gradients in the backdrop, and the way light catches the edges of their faces. It’s all rendered with such precision and care, as though each element was meticulously placed. The surface almost feels like a drawing, and it's interesting how a photograph can flatten the image into almost one single plane. I'm reminded of artists like Félix Vallotton, who embraced flatness and graphic simplicity. Like Vallotton, Hebblewhite seems to be interested in capturing the essence of his subjects through careful observation and distillation. In the end, it makes you wonder about the nature of representation itself: is it about capturing reality, or about creating a compelling illusion?