Gezicht op een portaal van de Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem c. 1894

This undated photograph captures a view of a portal of the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem. The image is striking in its composition; the stark geometry of the church's architecture dominates the scene. The portal, with its arched doorway and triangular pediment, creates a series of receding planes. Notice how the play of light and shadow across the brickwork emphasizes the texture and depth of the building. The anonymous photographer used light as a tool to reveal structural elements and create a sense of monumentality. The high contrast between the sunlit areas and the deep shadows articulates the architectural forms. One can see how photography in this period served not just as a means of documentation but as a medium through which to explore form, texture, and the very essence of architectural space. It invites us to consider how the camera's eye, even in its documentary mode, interprets and shapes our understanding of the built environment.