Bouw van het Kinderhuis van het Leger des Heils 1916

This photograph, 'Bouw van het Kinderhuis van het Leger des Heils,' captures a construction site in subdued monochrome, its palette a study in process and time. The focus on the textures of building materials is striking. You see that brick, stacked in piles, waiting to become something more? I love the way the light catches the edges, suggesting both weight and potential. The anonymous photographer seems to be pointing at the physical labor, while also hinting at the possibilities of the future. The image feels less about perfection and more about the grit and effort that goes into building a home. And that figure in white, standing off to the side – they act as a kind of anchor. They give the scene scale, but also seem to be thinking about what this all will become. It puts me in mind of Bernd and Hilla Becher, who photographed industrial structures with an attention to both form and function. In the end, the magic of this piece lies in its balance, showing us that art exists in a constant dialogue, always building upon the past.