Detail van het pand Dit is in Bethlehem te Gorinchem 1909

This photograph was taken in Gorinchem, probably with a simple camera, and it shows a detail of the building known as 'Bethlehem’. It’s a document, a way of seeing architecture, but it's also about process. Think about the time it took to set up, the chemical reactions of the film. The gray tones are so rich. The surface of the brick seems solid, captured in light and shadow, while the window panes are dark and reflective. Look at the row of brickwork just above the first floor windows. The way the light catches each brick so evenly is soothing. It’s a simple, satisfying mark, a rhythmic texture that speaks to the act of building itself. This image reminds me of some of the photographs by Bernd and Hilla Becher. Like their work, this one captures a specific time and place, but also something more timeless about human endeavor. The photograph is a historical document, but also an open-ended reflection on how we shape the world around us.