Gezicht op de vroegere stallen aan de grote hof van de Abdij te Middelburg, 1895 after 1900

This photogravure, "View of the Former Stables on the Large Courtyard of the Abbey at Middelburg," was created in 1895 by the Van Straaten Brothers. It captures a moment of quietude that belies the complex history of the site. Consider the late 19th century—a time of rapid industrialization and shifting social structures. The photograph presents us with the aged architecture of the Abbey, hinting at the enduring presence of religious institutions amidst modern progress. The image also quietly testifies to the labor and lives of those who lived and worked within the abbey walls. Note the broken windows and worn brickwork, visual reminders of time's passage. The stables are empty and silent, prompting reflection on the lives, possibly of both humans and animals, that once animated this space. This piece isn't just a depiction of a place, but an emotional and historical record.