Gezicht op Rotterdam, vooraan de Spaanse kade, centraal op de achtergrond de Koninginnekerk c. 1905 - 1907

This photograph of Rotterdam, showing the Spaanse kade and the Koninginnekerk, was made by Folkert Idzes de Jong. Look at the way the sepia tones wash over everything, softening the hard edges of the buildings. It’s like the city itself is breathing, a living, growing thing. The texture of the print is so fine, almost like a whisper. It’s not just about capturing a scene, but about feeling it, like a memory half-forgotten. The way the light catches the rooftops, turning them into a sea of shapes, is really beautiful. The details of everyday life are picked out. It reminds me of some of those early impressionist cityscapes, where the focus is on atmosphere, not just accuracy. You can almost hear the sounds of the city. There’s a conversation happening between the photographer and the city, a dance of light and shadow, a moment captured and held. It shows us that art isn’t always about answers, but about asking the right questions.