Noordzijde van de Sint-Bartholomeusbasiliek te Meerssen 1890 - 1920

This sepia-toned photograph captures the north side of the Sint-Bartholomeusbasiliek in Meerssen, though when or by whom, exactly, remains a mystery. I can imagine the photographer carefully framing the shot, maybe waiting for the light to soften, to bring out the textures of the stone. The basilica looms on the left, its gothic arches a testament to human ambition and faith. The adjoining building, more grounded, has a rhythm of windows that create a play of light and shadow. There is an old, faded quality to the print, a kind of melancholic feeling. I am reminded of other photographers who captured architecture—Atget in Paris, for instance—documenting a changing world with a mix of detachment and affection. These images are more than just records; they are invitations to reflect on time, place, and memory. Photography, like painting, freezes a moment, and the longer we look, the more that moment seems to expand.