Noordzijde van de Grote of Maria Magdalenakerk te Goes 1900

This photograph captures the north side of the Grote or Maria Magdalenakerk in Goes. Taken by an anonymous photographer working for Monumentenzorg, it freezes a moment in May 1900. Consider how the photograph, produced by an anonymous figure of the Monuments Department, monumentalizes architecture. It transforms a building, a place of social gathering and religious significance, into a silent, looming object. This representation invites us to reflect on the power structures inherent in preservation and documentation. The stark, almost ghostly depiction of the church encourages a contemplation of the passage of time and the complex relationship between history, memory, and identity. How does the act of documenting spaces shape our understanding of history, and whose stories are prioritized in this process? This image captures a building, but also hints at a deeper narrative about cultural heritage and the politics of preservation.