In the foreground is the old yellow Renault. It is a little car that postal workers drive around the French countryside. The discarded ones, with the right contacts, can be taken over for little money. The one in my photo belonged to Philippe, the farmer and mayor of our village of Chaugey. Sadly, he passed away in 2021 at the age of 60. A great sorrow for all of us. This photo did take on an extra charge as a result.
Originally it was simply a moment at the end of a lovely summer day. One of those where you take the warmth of the sun in/on your skin and go into the evening with warm feelings of love and happiness. Before or after you pour yourself a nice drink, you watch the last rays of the sun disappear and look forward to a, as the writer and poet Remco Campert puts it so beautifully in the title of his book, vurrukkulukke avond (Remco Campert: Het leven is vurrukkuluk). Such a one that makes you fond memories.
After the death of Philippe, he loved this picture, by the way, this work has become one of poignancy. It recalls a beautiful moment, a good time and the fine years that Philippe was in our lives.
Since about 1974, I have been involved almost daily in photography, drawing (charcoal, graphite, conté, chalk, ink), painting, watercolour and/or collage making. In all these branches of visual work, I have tried a lot, found my own way, but.. Read more…