Noordoostzijde van de Grote of Sint-Maartenskerk te Tiel 1893

This photograph of the Grote of Sint-Maartenskerk in Tiel, was made by an anonymous photographer from Monumentenzorg, using a camera and darkroom techniques. The image, a sepia-toned gelatin silver print, showcases the church’s north-eastern facade, framed by bare trees and a simple wooden fence. Focusing on the materiality, it’s interesting to consider the chemistry involved in creating this image, with a light-sensitive emulsion, and development processes to fix the image, showcasing the transition from the traditional craft of photography to the modern industrialized world. The photographer engaged with the skilled traditions of image-making, balancing artistry with technical expertise, but the primary reason for doing so was documentation and preservation. Photography, like architecture, is an industry, and these practices are enmeshed in wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, requiring both skilled work and complex apparatus. Understanding this photograph means appreciating not only its aesthetic qualities, but also the industrial processes, which are often overlooked when considering the history of art.